THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 
OF  CALIFORNIA 


GIFT  OF 

Mrs,  Edwin  Grabhorn 


v  //Y 

TH  F.  '  ^ 

.1?     A    B    L    E    S 

• 

OF     O^i 


SOP, 

WITH  HIS 

El     F    F. 


TO    WHICH   IS    ,  DBED, 

MORALS  AK»  R  E  M  A  E  K  S, 

ACCOMMODATED  TO  THK  YOUNGEST  CA?A<-, 

Bv  ROBERT  BURTON  OF  LONDON 

**  The  little  knowledge  I  have  f 

O  *r> 

Was  all  from   simple  nature  drain 


ISC 


L  I  F  E    OF    2E  S  O  P. 

WHAT  JEfep  was  by  birth, 
don't  agree;  but  that  he  was  in  a 
mearf  condition,   and  his  perfon  deformed 
to  the  highest  degree,  is  what  many  affirm: 
he  was  flat- faced,  hunch  -back'd,  blfcbbeiv 
lip'd,  jolt- headed;  his  body  crooked  all  ever 5  , 
big-bellied,  baker Jegged,  and  of  a  fwarthy 
complexion.     But  the  excellency  and  beau« 
ty  of  his  mind  made  a  fufficient  atonement 
for  the  outward  appearance  of  his  perfon: 
for,  the  firft  account  we  have  of  him  in  hif- 
tory,  is,  lhat  bfing   fent  to   Ephefus,  in 
company  with  other   Haves  to  be  fold,  hie, 
mailer  had  a  great  many  burdens  to  carry ji 
and  .ZEfop  begged  of  his  companions  not  to 
overload  him:  they  found  him  a  weakling, 
and  bid  him  pleafe  himfelf .      1  he  parcel  that 
he  pitched  upon- -was  a  pannier  of  bread, 
twice  as  heavy  as  any  of  the  reft:  they  call 
ed  him  a  thoufand  fools  for  his  pains,  and 
10  took  up   their  baggage,   and  away    they 
About  noon,  .they  had  their  dinner 
fifrp's  bafket,  which  made  his  bur« 
one  half  lighter  in.  the  afternoon  thanic 
beea  in  the  morning,  and  after  the 


4        THE   LIFE   OF  M  S  O  R 

hiea!  he  had  nothing  to  carry  b.-it  an  emptv 
balket,  which  made  .his  fellow- fhvfcs  know- 
that  he  had  more  wit  than  themiel  ves      I  'p. 
on  the  maker's  arrival  at  *phe.l«,  he  foon. 
ail  his  fhves  but   Mfnp.   and  the 
pthir  two,  whom  he  carried  toSamos  as  the 
Jifeeheft  place  for  a  chapman.     He  ihewed 
them  in  the  opea  market,   and  there  they 
were  viewed  by  one  Xanthm  an  .eminent 
p.ulofopher  in  the  city,  who  was  mightily 
p^eafed  with  the  two  youths,  and  afked  then- 
what  they  could  do.     '1  he  one  faid,  he  could 
do  every  thing,  which  fet  ^E%  a 'laughing, 
which    t!)e   philofopher  perceiving,   afked 
?vhut  he  could  do  ?     Nothing  at  all,  fays  he 
v  comes  that,  fays  the  philofopher?     My 
companion,  i.y*  he>  u  -dertakes  every  thina 
fu  the-e  is  nothing  left  for  me  to  do.    Which 
th:  philufopher  to  underftand  he  wa^ 
•Oj^&l:  io  he  afked  the  merchant  his  Icwit 
pncc   for   thr.t  ill  favoured  fellow?     Why, 
%,  he  if  vr-u'll  give  me  my  price  for  the 
other  two  you  may  have  hup  in  the  ba-^r.in. 
The  phiiofopher  ins!.-.ed'  vs   :,').-  mo - 

n^y.anjrak,  mh  him..     \Vhi!e 

ne  was  in  this  phi!ofwpher'«      i  feveral 

things  h.irp,a.-ij    ei.vivt  them     tou  l,--n-r  to 
beMUHo.'.dnert;  on!    1   cannot  omh   to 
•Mop's    ingenious  invention,  to 


THE  LIFE  OF   ye  S  OP. 

bring  his  miftrefs  back  again,     After  ,Xan«* 
thusrs  Pock  of  patience  was  quite  fpent  in 
bearing  with  her,  he  was  refolyeS  to  ufe  fe- 
verity,  fince  nothing  could  be  done  by  kind- 
nefs:  but  this  made  her  worfe,  and  away  {he 
went.   *Pad  as  Hie  was  he  would  havte  been 
glad  to  have    her  back  again}  but  nothing 
would  do.     /Efop  'feting  his   ma(to.r    quite 
out  of  humour,  Come  matter,  lays  he,    1*11 
bring  my  miftrefs  back  to  you  with  as  much 
good  will  as  everfliewentfrom  you.  JEfqp  Ira 
indiately  goes  to  market,  am!  ipeaks  for  what 
was  beft  in  the  fealon,  and  telis  eve  y  I 
that  his  matter  was  going  to  be  married  again, 
and  this  was  to  be  the  wedding  feaft.      I  he 
new?  flew  like  lightning,  and  coming  t 
miftrefs's  ears,  away  fhe  potted  baclftq 
hufband.     No,   Xanthus,    fays    (he*   d 
think  that  you  (hall  have  another  wife'  - 
Hive;  and  fo  kept  thehoufe  clofe  afterwards. 
After  this  there  happened  a  ftrang6  thing  at 
bamos;    for  *&i\   eagle   had  fuatched  up  the 
townfeal,  and  dropt  it  into  the  bofom  of  a 
flave.    i  hey  conluited  all  ihe  wife  men  about 
it,  arvd  tfpccially  Xanthus.  \v 
what  to  think  of  it      ^Bfi.  :  ;tj 

WLIU-  before  the  town  couucu,  a 

uieaniniT  of  it  was. 
-    defigned  to  take  away  ti,. 


0         THE  L  I  F  E  OF   ^  S  O  P. 

this  fatisfied  them  fo  well,  that  they  pro- 
claimed  ^fop  a  freeman.     Shortly  after,  as 
he  had  foretold,  there  came   ambrffadors 
from  Crcefus  king  of  Lydia,  demanding  tri 
bute,  and  threatening  them  with  war  in  cafe 
of  a  refufal.     Moft  part  of  them  was   for 
paying  the  tribute ;  but  ^fop's  advice  put 
them  off  on't.      I  he  king  came  afterwards 
to  underftand  how  /Efop/by  the  power  of  a 
few  xvords,  diverted  them;  he  fent  them 
word  that  HQ  would  put  a  flop  to  the  war, 
if  they  would  deliver  up  JEfop  to  him.  They 
would  not,  but  he  would  needs  go  himfeU. 
"When  he -came  before  the  king,  he  looked 
upon  him  with  difdain;  but  whsn  he  heard 
him  fpeak,  he  was  fo  moved  with  the  mo- 
defty  arid  wifdom  of  the  man,  that  he  not 
only  pardoned  him,  but  alio,  for  his  fake, 
forgave  the  Samiai$  the  tribute  he  demand 
ed.      After  this  returning  to  bamos,  h^  was 
joyfully  received  by  the  citizens,  whoereSt- 
cd  a  liatue  to  him      ^fop,  after  thi?,  tra- 

cd.  to  Babylon  and  Egypt,  where  he  was 
kindly  entertained,  and  gained  great  reputa- 

n  by  his  wifdom.     /r:fter  this  he  wenc  to. 
(irt?:ccc,  and   he   had  the    curiofity  to 
Ddphos,  for  the  oracle's  fake;  when  he  came 

ie,  he  found  matters  to  be  quite  oHiervu;c 

iii  he  cAptclcu;  and  having  giv^n  his 


THE  L  I  F  E  OF  JR  S  O  P,          $ 

nion  of  them,  the  magiftrates  took  great  of 
fence  at  his  freedom;  and  fearing  left  he 
ftiould  give  the  fame  character  of  them  elfe- 
where,  and  to  lofe  the  reputation  they  had 
in  the  world  for  piety  and  wifdom,  entered 
Into  a  confpiracy  to  take  away  his  life;  fo 
they  caufed  a  golden  cup  to  be  fecretly  con 
veyed  into  his  baggage,  when  he  was  going 
to  depart.    He  was  no  fooner  out  of  the 
town,  but   purfaed,  taken  up  ajfid  charged 
with  facrilege,  and  fo  hurried  him  away  to 
prifon.  He  was  next  day  brought  into  court, 
and  condemned  to  die.     His  fentence  was 
t4  be  thrown  headlong  from  si  high  rock. 


P  R  E  FACE. 

E  ufual  vvay  of  teaching  by  tales,  arid 
j|_  fables  is  To  plea  fant  and  ^inftrudivet 
and  is  fo  many  times  over  and  over  recom* 
mended  by  the  g'&ateft  and  wifeft  men  of  all 
ages,  as  (hat  which  makes  the  deepeft  im- 
preffioh  on  the  mind,  and  ccmes  moft  lively 
to  the  understanding,  net  only  of  men,  but 
csve.n  of  children,  iharit  would  be  loft  labour 
to  infill  on  its  commendation.  ]Ul  the  pre 
cepts  and  counlels  of  the  antierus^  for  or 
dering  our  lives  and  manners,  have  been 
handed  down  to  us  under  fuch  veils  and  fi 
gures;  and  every  one  knows  the  frequent 
and  edifying  ufe  of  them  in  fcripture.  Chrift 
himfelf  has  recommended  this  way  of  teach 
ing  by  parables.,  both  in  his  do&riiid  and 
praftice,  well- knowing  that  the  images 
,  would  much  more  affect  men's  minds,  than 
the  ftrongeft  and  moft  perluading  way  of 
reafoning.  Befides,  we  have  a  convincing 
proof  of  this  in  ancient  hifto^y.  For  when 
the  common  people  of  Rome  were  in  a  direft 
^.muOr-y  againil  their  magiftrates,  that  they 
I  would  neither  pay  taxes  nor  bear  arms,  the 


THE   LIFE   w  &  S  O  P.          9 

fedltion  run  fo  high,  that  all  the  arguments 
the  fenators  made  ufe  of  could  not  reclaim 
them  until  Menenius  £grippa  did  it  by  this 
fable, 

*i  he  haads  and  feet  were  in  a  defperate 
mutiny  once  againft  the  belly*  They  knew 
no  reafon,  they  faid,  that  the  one  fliould  lie 
idle  and  pampering  itfelf  with  the  fruit  of 
the  others  labour;  and  if  the  belly  would 
not  fhare  in  the  work,  they  would  be  no 
longer  at  the  charge  of  maintaining  it.  Up 
on  this  mutiny  they  kept  the  belly  too  long 
without  nourishment,  and  all  the  other  parts 
fuffered  for  it;  in  fo  much  that  the  hands 
and  feet  carre  at  laft  to  find  their  miftake* 
and  would  have  been  willing  to  have  done 
their  office,  but  it  was  then  too  late;  for  t!  e 
belly  was  fo  pined  with  overfafting,  that  it 
was  quite  out  of  conditon  to  receive  the  be* 
nefit  of  relief;  which  gave  th<  m  to  uncier- 
ftand,  that  the  body  and  members  aie  to  live 
ind  die  together* 

^  Now,  fays  he,  if  you  withdraw  your  fer- 
vice,  y9u'Il  find  your  tniftake  when  it  is  toa 
late.  So  by  this  means  he  brought  them, 
to  their  wits  again. 


B 


FABLES 

OF 


s  o  P, 


EAGLE    and  FOX» 

THE  eagle  and  fox  refolding  to  ftand  byt 
and  comfort  and  relieve  each  other  in 
the  courfe  of  their  lives,  whatever  fhould 
befal  them;  they  agreed  to  be  neighbours, 
whereby  the  bond  of  friendfhip  they  had 
lately  entered  into,  might  be  the  more  lad 
ing  and  firm,  fo  as  never  to  be  violated  or 
broken.  The  eagle  thereupon  made  choice 
of  a  tall  tree  for  its  abode;  the  Fox,  his  fickle 
friend  and  ally,  of  a  thicket  of  brambles 
hard  by,  to  enjoy  the  friendfhip  and  fociety 
of  his  good  neighbour  and  confederate.  The 
fox  being  abroad,  fearching  after  prey  to 
Hiaintain  herfelf  and  young;  in  the  mean 
while  the  eagle  being  hungry,  flew  down 
from  her  neft  to  the  thicket,  where  finding 
the  cubs  upguarded  by  Uieir  dam,  laying 


F  A  B  L  E  S  OF  M  S  O  P.       i  * 

|er  talons  upon  them,  flic  ftraightway  car 
ried  them  away  to  her  ndt,  where  not  long 
after,  fbe  and  her  young  ones  feafted  upon, 
them.  The  fox  returning,  quickly  difcoveix 
ed  the  guilty  offender;  the  grief  arifing  from 
her  not  being  able  to  revenge  the  injury,, 
more  affli&ing  her  than,  the  lofs  and  untime 
ly  death  of  her  cubs*  For  being  unfurnifh- 
ed  with,  wiags,  fhe  knew  not  how  to  come 
at  her  avowed  enemy  and  robber.  In  this 
cafe,  not;  being  able  to  be  even  with  her 
treacherous  friend,  fhe  fell  to  curfing  and 
banning  her*  the  only  return  fhe  then  could 
make,  borne  tims  after  a  goat  being  facri- 
ficing  in  the  open  field,  down  flies  the  eagle*, 
and  fnatches  away  apiece  with  the  live  coals 
that  "hung  to  it^  and  thua  carried  the  burnt- 
facrifice  to  her  hungry  eagles.  A  high  wind 
chanced  at  that  initant  to  blow  the  coals, 
fet  fire  to  the  neft,  and  down  fell  the  young 
ones  fin ged  with  the  flames;  which  the  fox 
efpying,  and  hafteniflg  to  the  place,  inftantly 
buried  them  in  her  guts,  to  the  no  little  grie£ 
ot  the  dam  that  beheld  the  a£tv 

The  MORAL*, 

The  foregoing  tale  may  (land  us  inftead 
occafion,  viz..  when  injured 


i%      F  ABLES   of    MS  OP. 

are  upable  to  deal  with  them  that  wronged 
them  divine  juftice  will  be  even  with  theu^ 
3iid  right  the  fuflerers. 

The  REMARK. 

Friendship  i$  a  large  jubjed,  ami  a  very  ctpiou.s 
theme,  had  one  a  mind  to  enlarge  and  dwell  thereon. 
Many,  and  many  are  they,  whose  stridt  and  inviolable 
amity  has  kept  their  memorials  alive  to  thi?  clay,  and 
preserved  their  fame  and  renown  from  being  buried  in 
the  silent  grave  of  oblivion  with  them*  Antient  histories 
aooimJ  with  examples  of  this  kind.  And  the  truth  of  it 
is,  when  all  is  said  that  can  be  said  about  it,  it  will  prove 
scanty,  and  fall  very  far  short  of  the  due  esteem  of  the 
thing  they,  between  which  jt  is  found,  enjoy*  'Tig 
therefore  one  of  the  greatest  blessings  heaven  can  be- 
jstow  upon  mortals.  Wherefore,  in  speaKing  of  it  I 
'shall  be  brief:  He  that  broke  his  word,  and  clisregaid* 
«d  the  obligation  he  lay  under,  was,  from  the  beginning 
of  the  creation,  looked  upon  as  a  heinous  criminal,  and 
grievous  offender.  The  instance  here  befoie  us  of  the 
insincerity  of  the  eagle,  is  so  odious  and  abominable, 
that  scarce  one  circumstance  is  wanting  to  aggravate 
and  inhance  it.  'Tis  painted  to  the  life  by  JEsop's  ad- 
jnirable  pen,  ami  the  foul  misdeed  is,  in  all  respects,  quite 
contrary  to  cordial  friendship  and  fair  dealing.  He,  in 
•whose  heart  unfeigned  love  and  kindness  iodces,  will 
expose  himself  to  any  dangc-r^  if  thereby  he  hope* 
to  fhid  ar\d  save  his  friend  from  the  jeopardy  and  iuis- 
chief  that  threatens  him;  which  is  agreeable  to  the 
doctrine  oJ  .ie  Paul,  who  tells  us,  "That  for ii 

rsuii  owe  would  even  dare  to  elk," 


FABLES    OF    ^E  8  O  F. 
FABLE    II. 

7h*  FOX  and 


\FOX  and  a  goat   being  thirfty,  go 
down  to  a  well  to    allay  it;  which 
done,  the  goat  being  at  a  lofs   how  to  get 
out,  t^e  fox  to  comfort  her,  faid,  Be  of 
good  cheer,  and  nothing  difmayed  ;  for  I 
have  thought  upon  a  way  and  means  how 
thou  (halt  get  up  again,  and  efcape  the  dan- 
iger  thou   fo  much  drcadeft.     For  if  thou 
ftandeft  upright,  leaning  thy  forefeet  againft 
the  wall,  and  bending  thy  horns  that   way 
'too,  by  means  of  this  new  dcvifed  ladder,  I 
getting  firftoutj  will  afterwards  Hall  thee  out 
hence.     The  goat  readily   confented  to  do 
what  (he  was  advifed  to*     The  fox  by  this 
machine   fkipping  out,   danced  about   the 
mouth  of  the  well,  fporting  and  merry.  But 
the  goat  blamed  her  for  not  performing  her 
promife,  and  not  being  as  good  as  her  word. 
To  whom  the  fox  replied,  Had  your   head 
been  as  long  as    your  beard,  thou    wouldft 
not  have  ventured  into  the  well  before  thou 
hadlt  thought  of  a  way  to  climb  cut  of  it 


i4      F  A  B  L  E  S  OF   JE  S  O  P. 

The 


The  ufe  and  profit  arifing  from  the  tale 
fhews  thus,  that  it  is  the  part  of  a  wife  man 
ferioufly  and  naturally  tQ  confide?  and  weigh 
the  means  of  attaining  the  enterprife,  as  well 
as  the  e$d  a,nd  iffue  of  it,  before;  be  goes 
about  it. 


Rash  and  unadvised,  attempts  usually 
ry.  What  is  blindly  undertaken,  the  end  seldom 
answers  the  hopes  conceived  of  it,  unless  chance  3. 
which  seldom  falls  out  to  second  and  favour  the  design.. 
The  experience  of  all  ages  has  set  its  seal  to  this  truth,. 
and  will,  as  long  as  time  lasts,  ratify  and  establish 
it. 

* 

FABLE    III. 

v  The  SWAN  and  GOOSE. 

A  MAN  ftored  with  riches,  and  the* 
goods  of  this  world,  bred  up  a  goofe 
and  (wan  in  his  yard,  but  aot  for  the  fame 
end.  'I  he  fwan  he  fed  to  pleafe  his  ear, 
the  other  his  palate,  whenever  he  (hould 
think  fit  to  feed  upon  her.  When  the  time 
came  that  the  goofe  was  deftined  tc  die,  and 
be  upon  the  fpit^  in  the  evening  the  owner 


FABLES   OF    ^SOR      15 

intended  to  kill  his  gooie;  but  delaying  it 
too  long,  he  could  not  difcern  which  was 
which,  and  miftaok  the  one  for  the  other. 
Death  approaching  the  fwan  by  misfortune, 
fhe  falls  to  ilngixig  a  melodious  fong,as  a  pre 
paratory  to  her  latter  end,  and  by  her  har 
mony  undeceived  her  mafter,  whereby  fhe 
cfcaped  the  imminent  danger,  and  the  ter 
rible  fear  flie  was  in  quickly  vanished. 

The  MORAL. 

The  life  of  a  creature  is  that  which  is 
deareft  to  it,  tnd  which  is  ufually  valued 
above  all  it  enjoys  befides;  and  therefore  a 
man  cannot  be  too  tender  and  backward  in 
taking  it  away,  when  it  ii  in  his  power  to 
doit. 

Ihe  REMARK. 

Melody  is  often  very  useful,  because  it  prolongs  life 
^vhen  death  is  ready  to  put  an  end  to  it.  'Tis  higk 
time  to  look  abont  when  death  is  ready  to  seize  us: 
.All  thoughts  are  at  "work  to  devise  a  way  how  we  may 
escape.  Any  shift,  though  ever  so  pitiful,  if  like  to 
succeed,  \vill  serve  the  turn.  By  this  we  may  see  the 
subtlest  contrivances  miscarry;  when  others,  a  graat 
deal  more  shallow,,  efie^  the  busings,  an4  lead  ta  safety 
aad  content 


FABLES  OF   ^SSOP- 

FABLE    IV. 
A  CUCKOO  and  a  HAWK. 

i  Y  the  beak  and  claw  of  a  Cuckoo,  ona. 
would  take  her  for  a  kind  of  hawkj; 
only  the  one  lives  upon  worms,  and  the  other 
•upon  flefh;  infomuch  that  a  hawk  twitted  a 
cuckoo  on  a  time  with  her  coarfe  way  of 
feeding.  If  you  would  look  like  a  hawk, 
why  do  you  not  live  like  a  hawk?  The 
cuckoo  took  this  a  little  ill>  But  flying  by 
a  dove-houfe  fome  time  after,  (he  efpied  the 
Ikin  of  this  very  hawk  upon  a  pole  planted 
upon  the  top  of  the  pigeonJioufe.  Well* 
fays  the  cuckoo  within  herlelf  to  the  hawk, 
And  had  not  you  as  good  hare  been  eating 
worms  as  pigeons? 

The  MORAL. 

Pride  is  an  abomination  in  the  fight  ol 
God,  and  judgment  is  juft  upon  us  whet) 
the  fubjeft  of  our  vanity  becomes  the  occa- 
fion  of  our  ruin. 

The  REMARK* 

'    A  safe  mediocrity  is  much  better  than  an  envied  afti 
•iangerous  pr<*&ed»ncy.     Th<^  that  in  thmr  pi.-ttueritf 


FABLES    ©?    ;ESO  P.        17 

c  others,  shall  be  sure  in  adversity  to  be  despised 
themselves.  It  is  much  the  san*e  case  v/ith  wiert  of 
prey,  that  it  is  with*  birds  of  prey  ;  they  look 
on  it  as  a  disparageiLent  to  sort  themselves 
with  any  other  than  the  ecemie-s  of  thef  public 
peace  ;  but  those  that  live  upon  rapine  are  set  a  mark 
iipoh  as  the  common  enemy,  and  all  heads  and  hands 
are  busy  about  their  destruction* 

FABLE    V. 

A  FLEA.anda  MAN. 

niPRERE  was  a  fellow,  that  upon  a  lea 
J  biting  called  to  Hercules  for  help, 
The  flea  made  her  eft: ape,  and  the  nan  is 
angry  upon  the  matter.  "Well,  .  t'erculesj. 
fays  he,  you  that  would  not  take  my  part 
agavnft  a  ferry  flea,  will  never  be  my  fecond 
In  a  time  of  need,  agaifttt  a  more  powerful 
enemy* 

7 he   MORAL. 

We  flight'  God  in  matters  and  concerns  of 
great  moment,  and  petition  him  for  toys  ; 
and  are  in  a  pet,  at  •l<ealt>  if  we  cannot  obtain 
oin  deiire* 

7 he  REMARK^ 

'  ris  an  argument  of  a  naughty  disposition  of  r.iii-rfy 

c 


i8-       FABLES    oy    M  S  O  P. 

TO  turn  offices  and  duties  of  piety  into  matters  and  wrvcs 
only  ot  course,  and  to  squander  sway  our  wishes  a;ul 
prayers  upon  what  amounts  to  little  more  than  downright 
rvoleries,  when  life  and  death,  heaven  and  hell,  and  the 
iike  weighty  matters  take  not  up  our  thoughts,  nor  busy 
our  minds,  we  being  wfiolly  unconcerned  about  them*  By 
tii is  impertinent  and  foolish  way  ot  proceeding  towards 
the  Almighty,  men  slide  by  little  and  little  into  some 
f-'ort  ot  doubt,  if  notadiredi  disbelief  and  contempt  of 
his  power.  And  then,  with  the  country  fellow  here,  if 
•we  canoot  obtain  every  vain  thing  we  ask  for,  we  arc  in  a 
pet  at  the  refusal,  and  in  revenge  give  ever  praying  foi 
god^  and  all,  and  so  part  with  heaven  for  a,  fiea-sraarU 

FABLE    VI. 

A  FOX  and  GRAPES. 

UPON  a  time,  when  a  fox  would  have 
ventured  as  far  for  a  bunch  of  grapes 
as  for  a  fhoulder  of  mutton— there  was  a  fox 
of  thofe  days,  and  of  that  place,  that  ftood 
gaping  under  a  vine,  and  licking  his  lips  at 
a  mod  delicious  clufter  of  grapes  that  he  ef- 
pied  hanging  there.  He  fetched  a  hundred 
rmd  a  hundred  leaps  at  it,  till  at  hit 
was  as  weary  as  a  dog,  and  found 
he  availed  nothing  by  it ;  Hang  'emt 
(lays  he,  thty  are  as  four  as  crabs.  And  fo 
away  he  went,  turning  off  the  difappoint- 
with  a  jeft. 

'he  MORAL,. 
When  man  cannot,  indue  manner,  attain 


F  ABLES  OF  MB  OR       19 

what  he  longs  for,  and  aims  at,  it  is  a  token 
he  is  endowed  with  prudence  and  found  dii 
creticn,  in  giving  over  ftrivmg  for  it. 

The  REMARK. 

'Tis  a  point  of  g<xxl  discretion  to  make   a  virtue  n£ 
necessity,- and   to    conunt  ourselves  with  «**  we 
coinpuss  in  an  honest  way,  though  we  eagerly  cove    to 
Turn :  somewhat  else.  For  it  is  a  notable  piece  ot  trait  and 
worldly  wisdom,  to  *em  to  despite  what  we  a 
to  obtain,  and  to  put  off  a  miscarriage  win  a  J«- .    Ue- 
sids  it  is  much  mare  commendable  to  have  people  ebipV: 
a  man  could  gain  such  and  .such  a  pomt,  .t   n-  wov, 
>han  that  he  would,  but  cannot.      1  his  table  afio«  la  u 
a  noble  piece  of  dotVme  and  instruaion  that  may  prov 
•very  useful  to  us,  if  we  need  it,  in  governing  cur  1   '^, 
managing  our  affairs,  and  direfting  our  conversation 
Injr  our  pilgrimage  in   this,  world.     A  prudent  person, 
-vhora    -we  should  ahvays  strive  to  imitate,  cannot,  a-, 
least  will  not.  change  bis  countenance  at  the  trov-n: 
imi'.es  of  giddy  and  inconstant  fortune  :   He  goes 
f,,lly  on  his  way,  whatever  rubs  and  holes  he  resets  **li 
ink:   Disappointments,  that  mo.t  of  aj!  ruffle    us,    : 
exercise  our  patience  and  constancy,  afflict  _him  yer 
•.le  :  lie  kuoivi  the  w»rjd,  and  expects  nothtog  t 

FABLE    VII. 

A  WOLF  and  KID. 

A  KID  being  in  a  place  where  no  harm 
could  reach  her,  efpied  a  woit  as  he 
ed  by,  at  whom  Ihe  prefsatly  fell  a.  rail- 


ao      F  A  B  L  E  S   OF    £!  S  O  P. 

ing  and  fcofHng — to  which  the  wolf  replied, 
fus  wel!  you  are  out  of  my  reach,  otherwife 
I'd  make  you  give  better  words* 

ke  MORAL. 

Hence  we  lear,n  this  notable  truth,  that 
place  and  opportunty  embolden  many  to  do 
what*otherwife  they  would  fooner  eat  thefc 
nails  than  do, 

The  REMARK. 

There  is  nothing  more  bokl  and  saucy  that  a  coward 
•whe7*  he  dreads  no  danger.  This  wav  of  reviling  arcl 
clamour  i?  such  an  arrant  mask  of  a  dastardly  \vretd\ 
that  he  dues  as  good  as  call  hi  uself  so  that  uses  it. 

FABLE    V1IL 

A  COCK  and  PRECIOUS  STONE. 

ACOCK  feeking  for  food  upon  a  dung; 
hi'l,  lighted  up  a  precious  ftone^  lo 
called  and  efteemed  by  the  foolifh  world. 
After  he  had  viewed  and  confidered  it  a 
while,  thus  thought  with  himfelf:  Charley- 
corn  would  have  f  rvecl  my  turn  better,  and 
n^urifne i  me,  which  the  fightof  this  glitter 
ing  itone  cannot  do. 

^  he    rvToRAL. 

Monefl  induflry  and  pains  never  gp  unre- 
warded.  Virtue  itielf  is  its, own  reward,  if 


F  ABLE  8    o*    .dS  SOB.       n  * 

it  meet  with  no  other  from  an  ungrateful  age. 
The  REMARK. 

The  use  and  benefit  this  fable  affords  us  is  this,  viz.— 
That  necessary  things  should  direct    and   command  c 
choice,  before  thfcigs  that  are  not  so,  which  tend  to  no 
thing  ebe  but  disappointment  arid  vanity,  and  to  please 
and  gratify  an  idle  misled  passion,. 

FABLE     IX. 

The  WOLF,  KID,  and  GOAT. 

A  GO  AT  having  occafbn  to  go  abroad, 
ordered  hei  kid  to  let  nobody  in  that 
come  to  the   door  that  had  not    a    beard, 
tilt     her    return.       Soon     after,    a    wolf, 
that    was    hard      by    when    the      charge 
was  given,  approached  the  door,  and    de 
manded  admittance,  ufmg  a  counterfeit  voice 
for  that  purpote-     The  kid,  appaehenfive  of 
the  danger  that  was  ready  to   overtake  her, 
bid  the  wolf  (hew  his  beard,  and  his  requeft 
fhould  be  granted. 

"The  MORAL. 

Hypocracy,  as  cunning  and  deceiving  as 
it  Is,  cannot  conceal  all  ways  of  difcovering 
it.  A  little  attention  and  trial-will  difcover 
the  cheat,  aud  remove  the  difguife. 


-  This  fahle  should  serve  a:;  a  caution  to 
net  to  admit  any  persons  as  meniben  with 
'ind  chara&fr  tiiev  are  not  §uincjcntly  ac^ 


22      FABLES  OF    IE  SO  P. 

designing  men  will  sacrifice  the  interest  of  the.  society  to 
their  own  private  views ;  And  all  is  not  gold  tha:  glis 
ters  ;  One  may  have  a  very  specious  appearance,  and  yet 
be  an  arrant  knave  at  bottom.  But  wise  regulations  will 
<io  much  to  prevent  this  imposition  ;  and  we  slull  find  it 
easier  to  deny  access  to  persons  who  are  suspected  this 
way,  than,  when  once  they  are  admitted.,  to  exclude- 
them. 

FABLE     X. 

A  SPIDER  and  SWALLOW. 

A  SPIDER  feeing  a  fwallow  catch  flies,  a 
foolifh  fancy  or  whimfy  fet  her  to 
work  how  to  contrive  a  net  that  would  catch 
f wallows*  as  ihtuders  upon  her  right,  and 
mere  interlopers.  But  the  net  proved  too 
weak  to  h~Id  the  prey— and  fo  the  bird  flew 
away  with  it ;  by  \vhich  the  fpider  was  unde 
ceived,  and  fo  fell  to  her  old  trade  again. 

The   Mo  HAL. 

He  that  follows  a  calling  he  has  no  genius 
or  fitnefs  for,  will  loon  grow  weary  of  it,  and 
lay  it  down. 

fk?  R.SM  VRK. 

It  is  both  sz{*  anil  pruibnt  tor  t-very  one  to  make  tnai 
oi'  hij  abiluy,  and  of  the-  .  .  .  .  .ry  he  is  v^» 

contend  \v-rh,  Ltjibr':  lu:  enters  ;-^  iisc  wi:;»  hi 

my  b.j  stronger,   the:  otlacr  vvill  crrtainiy 
ai  ;i  f.is  rt-pi.;t':itiO!)  ;U  once.      I'rif 

/  taoti^i,  ani  the  wr  j-.r.r  :,' 


FABLES    OF    &  S  O  P.       23 

us  to  understand  and  explain  in  juries  aright.  It  is  hurt 
ful  and  injurious  to  look  upon  a  thing  as  injury^  wh  ch 
is  not  so.  It  was  a  ridiculous  proje<tt  to  think  of  catch 
ing  a  swallow  in  a  cob. web  ;  and  as  much  was  the  spider 
mistaken  in  vainly  imagining  to  ingress  the  air  to  its 
own  use.  Thgse  men,  in  short,  deserve  to  be  accounted 
great  fools  that  me  fretful  and  angry,  first  fr  nothing, 
secondly  to  no  manner  of  purpose.  How  many  are  more 
foolsh  than  the  spider,  who  seeing  their  fruitless  endea 
vours  a:*d  attempts,  return  to  their  eld  trade  again  ? 
"Whereas,  many  men  are  so  obstinate,  that  they  will 
never  own  that  they  have  committed  any  mistakes,  or 
be/en  gtiilty  of  any  errors;  and  so,  like  Pharoah,  harden 
their  own' hearts,  and  use  violence  to  their  own  con*. 
sciences,  rather  than  it  should  be  said  that  they  wera 
guilty  of  the  least  mistake  ;  and  so  run  on,  till,  at  last, 
they. are  drowned  in  the  sea  of  obstinacy  and  stnbborn- 
.  ness.  - 

FABLE    XL 

A   FOX  and  a  COCK. 

A  FOX  fpied  a  cock  at  rooft  upon  a  tree 
vith  his  hens  ;  the  unufual  fight  where 
of  made  him  aik  the  cock,  why  he  chofe  a 
tree  for  his  rooft,  being  no  fit  place  for  that 
purpofe.  But,  continues  Reynard,  you  do 
not  hear  the  news  perhaps,  which  is  certain 
ly  true  :  There  is  a  general  peace  and  con 
cord  agreed  en  between  all  living  creatures, 
fo that  hence-forward  not  one  will  dare  annoy, 
much  lefs  prey  upon  his  fellow- creature. 


i|      FABLES  OF  JE  so  P. 

ri  his  is  good  news  indeed,  feys  the  cock  • 
ar  the  fame  ftretcbing  out  his  neck,  as  if  Jie 
had  a  mind  to  fee  fcrrsething  afar  off.  At 
which  the  fox  afked  the  cock  what  he  gazed 
at  ?  Nothing,  fays  the  other,  but  a  couple 
of  great  dogs  yonder,,  that  are  coming  this 
way  open  ittofcrhed,  ?s  faft  as  they  can  run. 
If  it  be  ib,  fays  the  fox,  it  is  time  for  me  to 
depart— i>.b.  no;  replied  the  ceck^ the  gene 
ral  peace  will  feci.re  you.  rh,  fays  the 
fox5  io  it  will ;  but  if  the  found  of  the 
proclamation  has  not  yet  reached  their  ears, 
rtiey  may  facrifice.me  ID  their  hunger  and 
hatred  they  bear  me  :  and  fo  betook  himfelf 
to  his  heels, 

The  MORAL* 

Amongft  over-reaching,  jind  fuch  as  trick 
others  out  of  the  r  right,  due  refpeft  ought 
to  be  had  to  honour  and  jultice. 
The  REMARK. 

This  is  to  tell  us,  trnt  in  a ->rne  cases  one  nail  i:n:.>t 
be  driven  out  by  another  ;  and  the  dec'eiving  of  the 
dc-ceivcr  doubles  tl.e  plfasurt-.  'Tis  a  hard  matter  to 
ar,  agreement  ix  ,\vcen  a  forger  and  his  forgery  ; 
they  ar-  :n  a  manner  irrecoffcifajbl^  j  so  that  it  requires* 
great  c:.re  and  skill  iu  a  sl»anin*er,  to  see  that  he  con- 
iradidt  not  fciwsrlf.  "Vs,' he  reform  flatterers  and  Jiary  need 
have  .ries.  A  general  truce  \vould  hav 

the:  }  :r  as  well  as  viie    cock  j  but  if  the 

ft-x  v>  .  the    ^^ 

to  tiuMilt  fax,     All     - 


.FABLES    cur    £S  OP.         35 

their  kind,  are  narrowly  to   be  su^Sed,   ^vhen  things 
I    that    concern   their  own  interest  ;  and  when 
tftey  can  urake  nothing  else  out,  they  cbuse  to  put  it  off 
"With  a  j?st. 

FABLE    jtn. 

JUPITER  and  the  BE2. 

A    BEE  prefented  Jupiter  with  a  pot  of  ho. 

ti,  I*  yV-^hLlch  Was  fo  accePtable  to  him, 
that  he  bid  her  afk  what  (he  would  from 
him,  and  fhefhould  have  her  will.  The  bee 
replied,  that  the  wound  made  by  her 
*mg  whenever  it  happened  might  prove 
mortal.  .  Jupiter  bid  her  be  content  without 
her  wifh  and  be  rather  inclined  to  f^e  life 
han  to  deftroy  it  ;  telling  her  fauher,  that 
tt  ihe  ftung  any,  and  left  her  fting  behind 
her,  it  would  become  fatal  to  her. 

?/><?   MORAL. 

He  that  longs  to  fee  mifchief*  fall  on  aho- 
er,    andpiays  to  the   Almighty  i 


7&e  REMARK, 


D 


t*        FABLES    o*    ^ISOP. 

gin.  Many  in  the  world,  how  mischievous  would  they 
be,  had  they  power  equal  to  their  ill-nature,  which  so 
much  abounds  in  this  land  !  So  it  fares  with  the  bee 
here ;  she  had  mischief  in  her  heart  already,  and  want- 
«d  only  some  mischievous  power  answerable  to  her  mali 
cious  wish. 

FABLE    XIII. 

Of  the  MAN  and  the  SFRPENT. 

A  SERPENT  haunted  a  country-cottage* 
and  bit  a  child  that  ftruck  it,  which 
foon  after  occafioned  his  death— The  chikTs 
parent  being  much  grieved  at  it,  with  a  billet 
he  had  in  his  hand,  deprived  the  fnake  of 
his  tail:  this  done,  though  the  utmoft  he 
intended  was  not  done,  to  conceal  what  he 
propofed  to  do  further,  which  was  to  retail- 
ate  and  pay  him  in  his  own  coin,  he  refoived 
to  endeavour  to  be  friends  with  him.  But 
the  fnake  refufed  it,  telling  him,  it  was  mo 
rally  impoffible  a  firm  and  fate  league  could 
be  made  betwixt  them,  till  he  had  forgot  the 
untimely  death  of  his  child,  and  the  other  , 
the  lofs  of  his  tail. 

7 he MORAL- 

Perfons  that  have  injured  each  other  can 
not  prefently  forget  hoitilities  and  outrages 
done  to  one  another,  and  forgive  them  j 


FABLES  OF  M  S  O  P.      27 

injuries  ufually  leaving  a  fmart  behind  them, 
that  continue  long  after. 

?he  REMARK. 

Friendship  is  of  that  nature,  that  if  not  entire  and 
complete,  is  dangerous,  and  proves  rather  a  soare  than 
a  safeguard,  'Tis  rarely  seen  that  two,  Svho'were  once 
enemies,  ever  .after  return  to  a  perfect  amity  and  con 
cord.  And  no  wonder  iris  that  so  it  falls  out,  real 
friendship  being  in  all  ages  so  rare  and  unconVmon^ 

FABLE   XIV. 

A    FOX  and  HED&E  tiOG.  "" 

A  FOX  meeting  a  porcupine*  or  hedge* 
hog,  wondered  to  fee  him  fo  armed  cap- 
a-pee,  every  part  having  on  its  armour  of 
defence ;  afterwards  fell  into  talk  with  him, 
and  among  other  things  perfuaded  him  to 
lay  afide  that  hoftile  garb,  as  not  being  ap- 
prehenfive  of  any  danger  that  threatened  it. 
After  the  porcupine  had  liftened  a  while  to; 
his  deceitful  arguments,  he  made  this  reply 
to  theenfnaring  beguiler  :  Methinks  I  fmell 
a  fox,— Keep  at  a  diftance  ;  your  eloquent 
fiourifhes  have  made  no  impreffion  upon  me. 
Be  packing  therefore,  left  you  feel  the  keen- 
nefs  of  my  anger,  and  the  fmart  of  prickles. 

7 be   MORAL. 

He  that  ftrips  himfelf  of  the  fence  that 
Mture  has  beftowed  upon  him  for  his  fafe-. 


fc8      FABLES   OF    JESOP, 

guard,  is  mife^ably  foolifh    and  if  he  fmarie 
for  it,  deferyes  no  compallion. 


Evf  ry  thing  that  has  not  a  mimi  to  perish,  is  provid 
ed  with  means  to  avoid  it.  Hares  arc-  stored  with  way* 
tc  escape  the.  d-igs  that  pursue  them.  Fatrld^cn  know 
how  to  save  themselves  from  the  claw*  of  their  merciler,: 
enemies  the  liawks,  Tlie  s  nailer  fry  have  their  several 
tricks  and  devices  to  keep  out  cf  harm's  way  ;  self-pre 
servation  being  implanted  in  every  thing  that  has  a 
being* 

BLE    XV.  J 

The  WOLF  and  CARVED  HEAD. 

*.-\ 

A  WOLF  entering  a  carver's  (hop,  found 
a  man's  head  9   after  a  little  gazing  and 
thinking  thereon,  imagined  it  had  no  (enfe, 
and  then  faid,  O  pretty  head,  finely  wrought, 
but  void  utterly  of  brains. 

'The  MORAL. 

Outward  comelinefs  is  fo  much  the  more 
graceful,  if  the  inward  be  anfwerablc  and  a- 
gi  eeable  to  it  j  and  a  handforne  outward 
lhape  is  fo  far  from  decking  a  foo!,  that  it 
renders  him  the  more  hateful  and  contempt 
ible. 

The  REMARK. 

Outward  beauty,  no  doubt,  very  much   sets   off  afu} 
a  person  ;  but  the  aunJ  is  ail  in  all,  that  vastly 


FABLES    OF    M  S  O  P.      29 

exceeds  every  thing  else  he  possesses  and  enjoys  :  All 
besides  this  is  ot  no  esteem  ;  and  without  it  he.  is  very 
•nich  beneath  a  brute,  who,  when  he  dies,  leaves  no 
thing  behind  him  to  preserve  and  perpetuate  his  memory. 
WT-hat  a  happy  world  should  we  live  in,  if  mankind 
would  but  bestow  the  half,  nay,  the  twentieth  part  of 
their  precious  time  to  adorn  and  trim  their  insi.des 
(which  is  the  great  thing  necessary)  Which  they  lavishly 
Avaste  in  painting  and  setting  off  the  outside  ?  Let 
them  remember  the  wees  pronounced  by  our  Saviour, 
against  these  that  cleansed  the  outside  of  the  cup  and 
platter,  but  neglected  the  inside  ;  and  then,  no  douht, 
they  won't  take  «o  much  pains  on  their  mortal  bodies, 
are  oiten  like  the  painted  sepulchre* 


The    OX  and  DOG  in  the  MANGER. 

A  CHURLISH  cur  got  into  a  manger, 
and  there  fnarled  to  keep  the  oxen  from 
their  provender  and  food,'  brought  thither 
for  them  by  their  careful  owner  ;  the  meat 
r.-ed  not  the  dog,  who,  to  ftarve  others, 
cared  not  what  became  of  himfelf. 

The  MORAL. 

people's  mifery  is  the  proper  food 
ad  ill  nature,  which  had  rather 
v  tat     ,i  If,   than  fee  others  enjoy  what  is 
eouvenrciu  and  necefCiry  for  them, 
7 he  RPMA  <K. 

There  are  but  too  many  in  the  woilal   of  this  dog's 


30      F  A  B  L  E  S  OF    ;£  S  O  P. 

temper,  that  will  rather  punish  themselves  than  not  be 
troublesome  and  vexatious  to  others.  If  some  men 
might  have  their  wish,  the  very  sun  in  the  firmament 
should  \vithdraw  his  light,  and  they  would  submit  to 
live  in  perpetual  darkness,  themselves,  upon  condition 
that  the  rest  oi*  the  world;  might  do  so  too  tor  company. 
Whatsoever  their  neighbour  gets,  they  lose  ;  and  the  ve 
ry  bread  the  one  eati,  makes  the  other  lean  and  meagre  ; 
which  is  the  natural  meaning  and  intent  of  the  tale. 

FABLE    XVII. 

A    DOG    and    SHADOW. 

A  DOG  eroding  a  river  with  a  morfel  of 
meat  in  his  mouth,  faw,  as  he  thought, 
another  dog  under  the  water,  with  fuch  a 
piece  of  meat  in  his  mouth,  as  he  had  in  his. 
He  never  confidered,  that  what  he  faw  was 
reflection  only,  and  that  the  water  did  the 
office  of  a  looking-glafs ;  wherefore  greedily 
chopping  at  it,  he  loft  both  fubftance  and 
fhadow,  to  his  great  regret  aad  difappoint- 
ment. 

the  MORAL. 

Fxceffive  greedinefs  moftly  intheendmifles 
what  it  aims  at ;  diforderly  appetites  feldom 
obtain  what  they  would  have  ;  paffions  mif- 
legd  men,  and  often  bring  them  into  great 
ftraits  and  incooveniencies,  through  heed* 
leffnefs  and  nc&ligeace. 


FABLES   o*    ^E  S  Oh        31 

?he  REMARK. 

This  fable  shews  people  the  great  danger  and  mischief 
they  may  fall  into  by  suffering  themselves  to  be  diverted 
by  conceit  only,  and  fancy  that  is  its  own  guide.  How 
wretched  is  the  man  \vho  does  net  know  when  he  is 
well,  but  passes  away  the  peace  and  enjoyment  of  his 
life  for  the  humouring  a  whimsical  appetite  ?  He  is  ne 
ver  well  till  he  is  atnhe  top,  and  when  he  can  go  no  high 
er,  he  must  either  bang  in  the  air,  or  fall.  What  can 
be  vainer  rrow,  than  to  lavish  out  our  lives  and  fortunes 
in  the  search  and  purchase  of  trifles,  and  at  the  same 
time  to  ly  carking  for  the  needless  goods  of  this  \vorld> 
and  in  a  restless  disquiet  of  thought  for  what  is  to  come, 
•which  is,  at  the  same  time,  as  uncertain  as,  uncertainty 
itself  •? 

FABLE     XVIII. 

The    VIPER    and    FILE. 

A     VIPER  meeting  with  a  file,   fell  to 

^  gnawing  it.     What  ails  the  fool  r  fays 

the  file.— Doft  thou  go  about  to  fret  me, 

^rho  am  wont  to  gnaw  the  hardelt  of  metals  ? 

*'  be  MORAL. 

Splenetic  fools  neither  regard  their  own 
interdt,  nor  that  of  any  body  elfe. — Fall  a- 
bout  it  they  L will,  whatever  tetide  them, 
whatfoever  niifchief  or  calamity  they  thereby 
run  into. 

The  REMARK. 
Unadvised  rashness  hurries  men  unawares  into  mam- 


32        FABLESoFJESOP. 

fold  n:ischiefs.  The  attempt  here  of  the  viper  was 
exceeding  foolish,  and  no  less  ridiculous  ;  tor  the  softer 
and  weaker  gnawer,  to  bite  and  gnaw  the  harder  anJ 
stronger,  looks  odd  and  very  wild. 

FABLE  XIX. 

A    WOLF  and   LAMB. 

fc5- 

A  WOLF  quenching  his  third  at  a  foim- 
•T*  tain*head,  perceived  at  a  good  diftance 
below  him.,  a  lamb  ftanding  at  the  brink  of 
the  faid  rivulet ;  upon  which  the  wolf  haftens 
to  her.  Wretch,  as  thou  art,  fays  he,  how 
didft  thou  dare  to  mud  the  ftream  ?  To 
which  the  lamb  replied,  that  fhe  thought  that 
her  drinking  at  fuch  a  diftance  below  him 
could  not  have  given  any  diflurbance.  Nay, 
fays  the  other,  you  will  remember  what  your 
mother's  faucinefs  coft  her  a  while  ago  ;  if 
you  have  not  a  care,  you'll  fare  as  (lie  did* 
If  you'll  believe  me,  fays  the  lamb,  in  a, 
trembling  pofture.  I  was  not  then  in  being. 
Well,  well,  impudence,  fays  the  wolf,  you 
talk  at  this  rate  out  ot  hatred  to  our  kind  and 
family  ;  but  now  I  have  you  in  a  convenient 
place,  I  will  be  even  with  ycu  ;  and  To  im 
mediately  facrificed  her  to  his  hunger  and 

revenge. 


CABLES    ©*    JESl>P.        35 

7he  MORAL. 

'Tis  an  eafy  matter  to  find  an  occafion  to 
mifufe  one  that  is  below  us.  Innocence  is 
no  armour  againft  tyrannical  power ;  no 
pleas  avail  againft  a  power  and  a  defire  of  in 
juring,  if  they  meet  together. 
?he  REMARK. 

Pride  and  cruelty  never  want  a  pretence  to  do   mis- 
thief ;  the  plea  of  not  guilty    signifies  nothing  wl  ere 
arbitrary  power    is.     When  innocence  is   to    be    born  J 
down  by  might,  arguments    are    foolish   things  j    nay,  i 
the  very  merit,  virtues,  and  good  offices  of  the  person 
accused^  are  improved  to  his  condemnation  ;  nay,  suck 
is  the  boldness  of  spiteful  cruelty,  that  people  shall  be 
charged  with  things  utterly  impossible,  and    wholly  fo 
reign  to  the  matter  in  question  ;  the  lamb  itself  shall  be 
made  malicious.     Thus   the   Jews  treated  the  L?mb  of 
God,  and  such  treatment  must  all  men  expect,  \vh  >  en 
deavour  to  follow  the  Lamb  ;  for  so  great  is  the  corrup 
tion  of  men,  that  interest  and  self-love   are  foisted  in, 
and  pass   at   present  for  true  religion    and  piety  ;    and  'l 
tinder  this  false  mask  of  godliness,  perfedlit.n  is  r 
*ried  with  zeal,  and  fury  for  religion  and  Christian 

FABLE     JGL 

An  EAGLE  and  TORTOISE. 

A  TORTOISE  being  weary  of  liring  in 
at  hole  and  carrying  his   houfe  about. 


$1        FABLES    OF    JESOR 

Xnade  a  requeft  to  the  eagle  to  learn  him  to 
fly.  The  eagle  feemed  unwilling  to  grant  it, 
telling  him  it  was  againft  nature's  courfe  and 
appointment,  and  common  fenfe  too.  But 
fuch  was  the  freakiflinefs  of  the  tortoife,  that 
the  more  the  one  was  againft  it,  the  more 
the  other  was  for  it.  The  eagle  perceiving 
the  tirefome  importunity  of  the  tortoife, 
heaved  him  up  in  the  air,  fteeple  high,  and 
then  let  him  fall  ;  the  firft  thing  that  he  met 
with  at  his  return  was  a  rock,  which  dafhed 
him  to  pieces. 

7 be   MORAL. 

Whatever  is  unnatural,  and  goes  topfy- 
turvey,  cannot  but  be  dangerous,  and  of  ill 
confequence. 

7hc  REMARK. 

This  hints  to  ui,  how  unsafe  a  vanity  it  is  for  a  crea 
ture  that  was  destined  for  one  condition  of  life  to  affccT 
another,  no  way  agreeable  to  it.  The  tortoise's  place 
•was  upon  the  sands,  not  among  the  stars  ;  and  if  he  had 
kept  his  wonted  habitation,  he  would  then  have  been  out 
of  danger  of  a  fall)  lor  then  he  could  never  have  catched 
one.  Many  a  fool  is  well  advised,  that  has  not  either 
the  grace  or  the  wit  to  follow  and  profit  by  it,  and  thus 
tys  stubborn  wilfulness  often  proves  his  ruin. 

F  *  B  L  E     XXL 

The   WIDOW  and  her  HEN. 

ACFR  r  AM  widow  had  a  hen  that  every 
day  laid  one  egg.    t^pon  this  Ihe  vain- 


F  A  B  L  E  S    OF  M  S  O  P.      33 

ly  thought  within  herfelf,  that  if  (he  gave 
her  hea  more  to  eat,  fhe  would  lay  two  eggs 
a  day.  She  tried  the  experiment  upon  it, 
till  the  hen  was  waxed  fat,  and  by  that  means 
gave  over  laying. 

v  he  MORAL. 

This  fable  is  a-kin  to  that  of  the  dog  and 
fhadow  foregoing.  Striving  after  a  great 
deal,  which  is  both  unlikely  and  uncertain, 
we  worft  ourfelves,  not  at  all  mending  our 
condition. 

The  REMARK. 

To  be  discontented  with  ptescnt  comforts  and  enjoy 
ments,  is  no  hopeful  way  of  attaining  either  more  or 
greater.  What  a  happiness  would  it  be  to  mankind, s 
did  they  but  know  when  they  were  well !  Nature  has 
bestowed  upon  every  one  his  share,,  were  a  discreet  use 
made  of  her  bounty.  But  now  a-days  many  people 
seek  out  ways  and  means  to  disquiet  themselves  ;  and* 
what  they  will  be,  they  will  be,  whatsoever  hinders 
them,  or  stands  in,  their  way:  Hence  no  wonder  if, 
disappointment  attend  them  and  disquiet  their  hopes, 
thus  deceived  and  brought  to  nought..  If  mortals  would 
endeavour  to  acl:  and  move  svery  one  within  his  own 
sphere,  we  should  not  see  so  many  sad  and  fatal  exam 
ples,  as  we  often  do,  of  the  ruin  and  overthrow  of  many, 
•whose  ambitious  designs  lifted  them  up,  and  made  them 
<soarfor  a  while  as  it  were  with  th&  wings  of  the  eagle, 
«nly  that  their  fall  might  be  the  greater. 

FABLE     XXII. 

A  SPIDER  and  the  GOUT. 

A    SPIDER  walking   abroad    to  recreate? 
**  hiimfelf,  lighted  upon  the   gout,    and 


3$      FABLES  OF    ^SSOF. 

walked  with  him  till  even  tide,  and  after- 
ward1*  took  up  his  lodging  in  a  fine  palace, 
gnd  fell  to  fpinning  cob-webs,  which  were 
as  fail  fwept  away  ;  but  the  gout  had  his 
quarters  in  a  very  nafty  place,  having  no 
thing  fit  to  entertain  him.  Meeting  again 
the  next  morning,  each  gave  his  fellow  an 
accc  unt  how  it  fared  with  him  the  night  pafh 
The  fpider  began  his  relation  firft,  which 
was  a  complaint  of  the  nicenefs  of  his  land 
lord  ;  afterwards  the  gout  requited  him  with 
fuch  another  ftory  of  ill-ufage  :  Whereupon 
the  next  night  they  took  quite  the  contrary 
courfi.  The  fpider  got  into  a  hovel,  and 
the  gout  into  a  hall,  where  the  lord  of  the 
manor  had  his  abode.  5  he  gout  met  with 
every  thing  he  defired,  and  the  fpider  was  as 
well  pleafed  on  the  other  hand.  Upon  this 
the  gout  refolved  henceforward  to  get  into 
fome  rich  man's  houfe,  and  the  fpider  into 
fome  needy  perfon's, 

The  MORAL. 

An  induftrious  poverty  in  a  cell,  with 
qu?et  thoughts  and  found  fleep,  is  infinitely 
to  be  preferred  before  a  lazy  life  of  pomp  and 
pleafure. 

The  REMARK. 

One  may  be  very  uneasy  with  a  plentiful  fortune,  and 


FABLES    or    M  S  O  P.      37 

as  happy  in  a  mean  condition  ;  for  it  is  the  mind  that 
makes  us  either  one  or  ihe  other  :  A  plain  honest  and 
temperate  condition  contents  itself  with  a  little.  Where 
gluttony  and  idleness  rule  and  bear  sway,  something  is 
still  wanting.  How  many  foojish  longings  and  wild  de- 
aires,  possess  and  unquiet  the  fancy  in  such  a  state  !  We 
see  a  sailor  sleep  quietly  in  a  hammock,  without  any 
cares  in  his  head,  cr  indignation  in  his  stomach  ;  where 
persons  of  quality  lie  lurking  upon  a  bei  of  state,  with 
'  the  qualms  and  twinges  that  accompany  riot  and  excess, 

FABLE     XXIII. 

The  OLD  MAN  and  DEATH. 

AN  old  man  carrying  a  burden  of  wood 
*"*  from  the  place  where  it  grew,  to  his 
duelling;  by  that  time  he  had  carried  it 
half  way,  grew  tired  with  it,  and  fo  laid  it 
down,  wifhin^  deith  would  approach  and 
convey  him  from  this  life  tea  better.  Death 
was  prefently  a*  hi ;  elbow,  and  demanded 
why  he  implored  his  h^lp?  1  he  old  man's 
reply  was,  he  had  at  prcfent  no  other  need 
of  him  than  to  lack  him  afrcfh,  by  helping 
him  up  with  his  burden , 

j  he   MORAL. 

^Life,  be  it  as  miferable  and  wretched  as  it 
will  be,  is  ftill  preferable  to  death,  though 
it  have  none  of  its  frightful  companions  a- 
bowt  it. 


FABLES  OF    ^ESO  P. 


REMARK. 

One  ot  the  chiefest  Jessons  Christianity  teaches  it* 
professors,  is  cheerfully  and  courageously  to  bear  and 
undergo  all  the  cr-.sses  and  temptations  they  may  meet 
-with,  daring  their  pilgi  image  in  this  lower  and  toilsome 
\vorld.  Death  is  always  the  conclusion  and  period  of 
lite  ;  but  we  must  not  call  ancj  hasten  it  as  often  as  we 
please:  He  that  gave  us  our  being  has  ordered  us  to 
preserve  and  keep  it,  till  he  thinks  death  better  for 
us  than  our  longer  abode  here  ;  to  whose  blessed  will,  as 
in  all  things  else,  so  in. this  great  paint,  we :  must  submit 
and  readily  obey. 

FABLE     XXIV, 

The    OLD  WOMAN  and  PHYSICIAN.. 

A^  old  widow  having  a  diftemper  fallen 
into  her  eyes,  fent  for  a  phyfician,  teU 
ling  him,  if  he  could  cure  her,  he  fliould  re 
ceive  a  reward  from  hers  otherwife  nothing. 
— !  he  phyfifiian,  under  the  fore-cited  condi 
tion,  undertook  the  cure.  He  vifited  his  pa 
tient  every  day,  anointing  her  eyes  with  an. 
ointment  he  bad  prepared  for  the  purpofe. 
./  fter  the  anointing  was  over,  away  went  the 
phyfician,  carrying  fomething  with  him  that 
belonged  to  his  patient,  being  tempted 
theieunto,  becaufe  juftatthe  anointing  fhe 
\vas  wholly  bereft  of  fight  by  its  means. 
/I  he  woman  perceiving  her  fubftanpe  by  this 


FABLES   OF    ^SOP.        39 

means  to  decreafe  daily,  and  that,  if  her 
fight  was  reftored,  fte  mig!  t  have  nothing 
to  look  upon,  the  phyfician  demanding  the 
agreed-on  reward.-Nay  ratherj  Iie§  d 

0' 


m  "       «: 

When  I  firft  fell  amifs,  I  could  fee  goods  of 

my  own  ;  but  now  at  this  time  thou  fayeftl 
can  fee,  they  are  got  out  of  fight. 

?he  MORAL 

Intimates  to  us-lhac  it  often  falls  out, 
that  wicked  and  unconfcionable  men  fall  un- 
der  the  rebukes  of  their  oxvn  mifdoings,  and 
vile  prances,  unwarily  and  unwillindy. 

„,       ,     ,  '2be  REMARK. 

I  b    deeds  of  unrighteous  men  at  last  find  them  out 
and  betray  them  to  »hame  and  misery.     Whilst  t£  Dhl 

FABLE  XXV. 

The  WOMAN  and  DRUNKEN  HUSBAND. 

T^WAS  a  woman's  misfortune  to  be 
i.  "ft  i°m^  ln  matrij»°ny  to  a  drunken 
hufband.  Being  defirous  to  free  him  Tom 


40        FABLES   OF   JES  OP. 

that  abominable  vice,  (he  took  this  courfe  to 
eff  ft  it :     •  eemg  hirr  or.ce  very  drc  wiy,  by 
reafon  of  the  fir  ot  drunkemiefs  he  was  then 
in,  (lie  took  him  upon  her  back,  and  carried 
him  into  a  vault  in  the  church  )ard.  whera 
{he  left  him,  and  went  her  way.     When  (he 
thought  he  was  come  to  himfelf.  fhe  return 
ed  thither,   and   he  afked  who  it  was  that 
knocked  ?     His  wife  made  anfwer,  it  is  I, 
who  have  brought  a  meal  for  a  dead  perfon  I 
lo  which  the  drunkard  repii  d  -gentle,  fir, 
a  bottle  or  two  of  ftrong  liquor  would  have 
been  more  acceptable  than  any  kick-lhaw  of 
any  kind  whatfoever ;  lam  fad  at  ^  hearing 
that  I  muft  make   a  meal  without  liquor.— 
But  (he,  (hiking  her  brer*ft,  faid,  miierable 
woman  that  I  am,  this  device  avails  me  no- 
nothing  ;  for  thou,  hufband,  art  not  amend- 
ed  by  it,  rather  thou  art  worfe  than  before  : 
1  he  difpofiticn,  I  fear,  being  alfo  grown  a 

habit. 

The  MORAL. 

The  tale  g^ves  us  warning  of  the  danger 
a  continu  mce  in  a  wicked  cowrfe  of  life  may 
bring  us  into  ,  for  oftentimes,  when  he  that 
is  in  it  would  give  over,  and  forfake  it,  h* 
cannot. 


FABLES   OP    -ESOP,        41 

The  REMARK. 

'Tis  well  known,  custom  is  a  second  nature.  A  bad 
fcabit  steals  upon  us  unawares,  before  we  perceive  it  ; 
and  once  got,  is  not  easy  shook  off  and  parted  with. 
Nothing  can  prevail  with  us  to  divorce  ourselves  from  * 
•beloved  lust  we  have  some  time  been  wedded  to  :  So 
strong  and  powerful  are  its,  charmss  that  death  itself, 
as  terrible  as  it  is,  cannot  fright  us  from  hugging  and 
caressing  it.  This  poisenous  viper  we  will  cherish  in 
our  bosom,  though  we  are  sure  thst  ere  long  his  poison 
null  give  us  a  mortal  wound,  and  punish  us  as  we  de 
serve*  An  old,  stubborn,  rooted  habit,  what  a  difficult 
task,  good  God !  what  a  toil  it  is,  wholly  to  vanquiih 
and  get  an  entire  vidory  over  it  1  The  cutting  of  Hy- 
.dra's  head  asks  the  utmost  strength  and  effort  of  Her 
cules  ;  but  to  tame  an  inordinate  desire  that  has  for 
aome  time  ruled  us,  is  past  the  power  of  most  mortals. 

FABLE    XXVI. 

HUSBANDMAN   and  his  SONS. 

A  HUSBANDMAN  knowing  he  had  not 
**  long  to  live,  called  his  fons  together, 
and  earneftly  exhorted  them  to  follow  his 
calling,  commending  a  hufbandman's  life  to 
them— further  telhng  them,  th.at  if  they  du 
ligemly  and  painfully  cultivated  his  vine 
yard,  they  (hould  find  a  treafure  of  very 
great  value  he  had  in  it.  Ihis  welcome 
¥ 


4*        FABLES    of    j£SO  P. 

news  cheered  their  hearts,  ^nd  filled  them 
with  extraordinary  hopes  of  finding  a  great 
deal  of  treafure ;  and  without  more  ado  fell 
to  digging  the  vineyard,  not  leaving  a  foot 
of  it  untamed.— However,  after  all  the  ho 
ped  for  treafure,  they  met  not  with  any  — 
But  neverthelefs,  the  vineyard  being  thus 
well  drefled,  and  ordered,  made  them  an 
ample  fatisfadion  for  the  pains  and  labour 
.they  had  bellowed  on  it. 

Ihe  MORAL. 

The  tale  fets  before  us,  that  by  induftry 
men  thrive  and  grow  rich. 

7 he  REMARK. 

Honest  labour  never  fails,  never  misses  its  due  reward 
and  recompence.  What  else  is  virtue  itself,  the  iairest 
and  noblest  ornament  of  mankind,  but  pains  married  t * 
ingenuity  ?  And  happy,  thrice  happy  is  he  in  whom 
they  meet  and  are  joined.  How  sweet  does  his  time 
pass  away  !  whatever  befalls  him,  this  quiets  his  mind, 
and  thereby  he  enpy.s  a  complete  rest,  and  is  out  of  the 
reach  of  all  care  and  trouble.  This  world,  that  u  most 
U  a  sort  ot  hell,  proves  to  him,  by  means  of  it,  a  real 
and  sensible  paradise. 

FABLE  xx\n. 

The  WEASEL  and  FILE. 

A  WE  AS  EL    running   into   a  brafier's 
tot>p,  got  to   licking  a  file  that  lay 


FABLEScFJESOP.       43 

there ;  fo  that  a  great  deal  of  bleed  ran 
down  his  tongue    as    he  licked.     But 
heed'efs  weafel  thought  his  blood  to  be  the 
braiier's  filings  only,  until  he  1  ad  quite  filed 
away  his   tongue,    and  then  he  fcuhd 

miflake. 

The  MORAL 

Is  levelled  at  fuch  that,  in  quarrels  *nd 
brawls,  get  harm  and  mifchief  before  they. 

are  aware. 

7 he  FEMAPK 

Shews,  that  tho'  nature  has  ci  dewed  every  creature 
with  a  principle  of  self  preservation,  yet  their  unruly 
appetites  hurry  them  blindly  on  to  their  o>vn  destroy 

tion« 

% 

F  ABLE     XXVIII. 

The  FLIES  in  the  HONLY-POT. 

THE  flies  having  got  into  a  buttery  where 
honey-pots  itood,  fell  a  eating  of 
honey.     When  they  had  got  a  good   belly- 
lull,  they  were  going  off,  but  found  their  feet 
faft  —I hey  ftruggling  to  get  loofe,  fo  entan 
gled  themfelves,   that  being  almofl 
they  cried  our,  What  wretches  are  we  to  paf 
fo  dear  for  fuch  a  fhort  banquet  ? 


44      FABLES  o?    JB  S  O  P. 

rhe  MORAL. 

The  fable  fhews  gluttoay  has   deflroyed 
many* 

?te  REMARK. 

Intemperance  has  always  proved  fata!  anddestra£live. 
Uitly  experience  confirms  the  truth.    A  glutton  seldom 
>mt  half  his  days  ;  therefore  fly  from  this  vice   a? 
irom  tne   :nost  poisonous   serpent.      How     many    have 
been  destroyed  by  a  debauch  !      It  is  but  just  that  they 
•who  trample  upon  the  laws  of  nature,  and   make   them. 
selves  worse  than  the  brute  beusts,  should  come  to    an 
Untimely  end.     How   many  instances  does  history  give 
us,  of  such  as  have  been  fairly,  but  were    at  last  mise 
rably  destroyed  by  this  vice  !  A  famous  example  we  have 
in  the  person  of  Alexander  the  Great,  who  soon  subdued 
nations,   while  he  continued  moderate  and  sober,  till,  at 
last,  t.'.is  great   conqueror   was    himself  conquered    by 
drunkenness,  and  so  put  an  end  at  once  both  to  his  life 
and  cor.qutsr  .      What  a  dismal  spectacle  is  a  drunlTard, 
or  ^UUGII,  cast  upon  his  sick-bed,  under  the  heavy  load 
of  li.ihsome  distempers  I  and  how  wisely  does  the  wisest 
of  men  observe,  "  Who  hath  wee  ?  who   hath  sorrow  ? 
u  who  ham  redness  of  eyes?  but  he  that  tarrieth  at  the 
V.  wine." 


FABLE 

The    MISTRESS  and  her  MAID. 

A   MIS  T^E^S  taking  a  liking  to  a   girl, 
was  refolved  to  hire  her,  to  whom  the 
poiaid  agreed,  and  fy  became  the  lervant, 


F  A  B  L  E  S    OF    JR  3  O  P.      45 

The  iniftrefs  did  her  part,  being  rather  too 
kind,  t  he  maid,  after  a  while,  grew  weary 
of  her  fervice,  and  by  that  means  the  mif- 
trefs  wa*  no  le&  lired  with  her.  ^fterfeveral 
(harp  rebukes,  fhc  reioived  to  be  eren  with 
her  miftrefs,  and  ufed  this  device.—  She 
ftrewcd  the  rtairs  with  peafe,  thinking  there 
by  to  give  her  milhefs  a  fall  ;  but  forgetting 
what  (he  had  done  the  next  morning,  catch- 
ed  a  fad  fall  herlelf. 


^  Harm  watch,   harm  catch  ;   knavss  and 
Lillians  often  contrive  their  own  ruin. 


, 

Ingrttitude  seldona  goes  uapunisned  —  too  much  gen 
tleness  isoften  more  hurtful  and  fatal  than  too  much 
seventy.  Ease  and  plenty  makes  servants  often  negli 
gent  of  their  ddty.  If  they  are  reproved  by  mister  or 
Distress,  they  maliciously  study  their  ruai.  Wicked 
^contrivances  often  fill  heavy  on  the  contrivers  ;  and 
-inen  are  usually  caught  in  the  snare  they  have  laid 
£br  others. 

FABLE  XXX. 

The  GRASHOPPER  and  PISMIRES. 

IN   the  winter  feafon   the    pifmires  grew 
cold,  by  reafjj  of  the  moiftnefs  of  their 
food  j    however,  an  hungry  grafhopper  alk- 


4«      F  A  B  L  E  S  OF    IE  S  O  P. 


t\  alms  of  them  ;  they  anfwered,  Why  da 
you  not  in  fammer  lay  up  for  the  winter  ? 
The  gr  Chopper  re  jlied  ,  I  am  not  at  letfure 
for  Gaging  to  the  country-fwaim  all  th?  fea- 
ion.  Nf  ay,  then,  faid  the  frovrning  ptfmires, 
fmce  in  fammer  thpu  piped,  thou  mult  even 
dance  in  winter, 


Teaches  us  to  be  careful   and  diligent   in 
all  our  affairs,  on  all  occafions,  left  reproach, 
grief,  and  ihame  overtake  us. 
the  REMARK, 

We  were  sent  into  the  world  to  toil,  and  thereby  to 
earn  our  daily  bread.  It  is  no  wonder  to  see  him  fall 
in  danger,  who  will  not  foresee  it,  and  feel  misery  who 
•will  not  prevent  it.  To  provide  against  a  wet  day  is 
both  commendable  and  necessary.  Who  can  tell  what 
may  happen  ?  Wh.it  we  little  think  of  may  befal  us. 
"We  cannot  sufficiently  fence  again  su  tha  ca'  a  ma  ties 
•which  abound  every  where  in  this  world.  The  more 
careful  w?  are  10  prevent  tribulation,  the  less  grievous 
and  irksome  will  it  prove.  Solomon  sends  the  sluggard 
to  the  ant  to  learn  industry  ;  and  it  is  a  shame  to  find 
men  endued  with  reasonable  souls  come  sa  far  short  of 
beasts  :  For  certainly,  if  men  were  in  m.iny  things  as 
provident  as  brute  beasts,  we  should  see  fewer  go  to  the 
gallows. 


f  A  B  L  E  S   OF    JK  S  O  P.        47 
FABLE     -XXXI. 

The  LYING  MOLE. 

OST  people    think    that  a  mole    is 
.  blind.—  He,  on  a  time,  faid  to  his 

dame,  I  fee  a  fycamore  tree  lie  laid  to  her 
another  time,  there  muft  be  fome  frankin- 
cenfe  hereabouts,  foi  I  fmell  it.  Fe  faid  to 
her  a  third  time,  1  hear  the  noife  of  a  brafen 
ball.  His  mother  taking  him  up,  anfwered 
thus  :  Son,  I  now  plainly  perceive,  thouart 
as  void  of  hearing  and  fcieillng  as  of  fight. 

*<  he  ..Mo&AL 

Plainly  (hews  that  many  boafters  promife 
great  and  .wonderful  things,  who.  when  put 
to  the  trial,  tan  hardly  perform  fmail  ones. 
1'he  REMARK. 

Great  boast  and  huic  roast  ;  *s  it  is  with  the  dogs, 
so  it  is  with  crackers,  and  vain  braggers.  The  loudest 
boasters  are  ^cutraiiy  the  least  performers.  Saying  ai,d 
doing  arc  di&feut  things  ;  talking  is  not  periorming. 
If  words  aione  could  do,  a  ladder  had  been  found  out 
before  this  tini<?,  which  would  have  reached  the  moon  ; 
so  that  fiom  thence  ii  neaier  })rospe<St  had  been  taken  of 
the  stars.  Noise  can  oi'ly  :.Elc\  the  ear,  prattle  mil. 


never 


4«      F   ABLES   OF   JE3OP. 
F  A  B  L  F      XX;I. 

The  MISTRESS  and  her  MAIDENS. 

A  I  ABOPIOUS  and  thrifty  widow  uft«- 
ally  called  her  maidens  to  their  work  at 
the  crowing  of  the  cock. — The  toil  at  laft 
growing  iikfome  and  grievous  to  them,  made 
them  think  bf  this  device  for  their  cafe* 
.They  imputed  (heir early  rifing every  morn 
ing  to  the  noife  the  cock  made  ;  and  there 
fore,  to  make  fure  work,  at  once  put  an  end 
to  his  noife  and  his  life.  l?ut  the  remedy 
proved  worfe  than  the  difeafe ;  for  the  old 
\ddow,  deprived  of  her  watchman,  called 
them  up,  for  the  inoft  part,  fooner  than  be-* 
fere. 

?he  MORAL 

Tells  us  in  very  plain  terms,  that  many, 
and  too  many,  deviie  and  contrive  their  own 
harm  and  mifchief. 

7 he  REMARK. 

Many  know  not  when  they  are  well,  and  are  therefore 
often  altering  their  condition  and  way  of  living.  They 
•ccn  turn  weary  of  what  is  present,  and  alwa)  s  restless  ; 
sucn  are  their  own  disiiubers,  who  often  seek  their  ease 
stjid  quiet  by  such  indirect  practices,  that  they  often 
have  cause  to  repent  of  them*  Men  should  think  before 


FABLES   OF    j£SOP.        4j 

they  change,  lest  they  change  for  the  worse.  The 
foolish  wenches  in  the  fable  must  kill  the  csck  for 
wakening  them,  too  soon,  and  so  by  thinking  ther 
should  have  much  more  sleep,  it  happened  they  had 
annost  no  sleep  at  all. 

FABLE      XXXIir. 

MEIICURY  and  the  CARVER. 

MERCURY,  defirous  to  know  what 
repute  he  had  in  the  world,  went  int» 
a  Carver's  (hop  in  the  fliape  of  a  man.  Look- 
ing  about  him,  he  efpied  Jupiter's  image; 
and  cheapened   it  :     The  Carver  afted    a 
groat.     Afterward  he  cheapened  Juno's,  for 
which    he  aflced  more.     At  laft,  leeing  his 
own  image,  not  doubting  but   the  Carver 
would  value  it  at  a  great  rate,  as  being  mef- 
fenger  to  the  gods,  and  patron  of  tradesmen, 
afkedthe  price   of  it:   Why  truly,  fays  the 
Carver,  give  me  but  my  price  for  the  other 
two,  and  you  (hall  have  that  into  the  bar- 
m. 

The  MORAL. 


This  Fable  reproves  fuch,  who,  fettmg  too 
high  a  value  upon  themfelves,  appear  by  fa 
much  the  more  defpicable  to  others. 
G 


5*        F  A  B  L  E  S   OF    JE  S  O  P. 

The  REMARK. 

A  fond  conceit  where  it  prevails,  is  of  bad  conse 
quences,  and  commonly  meets  with  contempt  and  scorn. 
A  country  girl  dressed  up  for  a  fair  or  a  wedding, 
fancies  herself  presently  to  be  some  dutchess.  What  a 
fair  creature  does  a  Peacock  think  himself  while  I 
gazes  on  his  fine  painted  tail,  not  considering  his  ugly 
Saw,  and  frightful  cry?  They  who  think  themselves  no 
fools,  are  apt  to  fancy  that  others  have  the  same  opinion 
of  them  that  they  have  of  themselves. 

FABLE      XXXiV. 

The  FOWEER  and  SNAKE. 

A  FOWLER  having  provided  twigs,  and 
birdlime,  went  on  to  try  his  art ;  hav 
ing  efpied  a  ttirufh  fitting  on  a  high  tree  hard 
by,  he   prefently  made  all  things  ready  to 
catch  her  as  his  prey ;  but  had  the  misfor 
tune  to  tread  upon  a  Snake  fleeping  at  the 
root  of  a  tree,  which  ptefently  fwelled  with 
anger,  bit  him  mortally:  So  the  unhappy 
Fowler  finifhed  his  life  with  this  fad  com 
plaint  :   Poor  wretch  that  I  am !   whilft  I 
feek  and  thirft  after  onother' s  life,  alas  1 1  fall 
a  prey  to  a  poifonous  Viper. 


ft* 

F  ABLES  ^^ES  O  P.      51 

The  MORAL 

This  Fable  teaches  us,  that  many,  whilft 
they  go  about  to  enfnare  their  neighbours, 
meet  with  the  fame  fate  from  others,  who  $r$ 
no  lefs  bufy  to  entrap  them, 

The  REMARK. 

Contrivers  of  mischief  often  meet  with  mischief :— •* 
They  who  think  to  catch  oihers  are  often  prevented  in 
their  malicious  designs,  and  lose  their  lives  by  acci 
dents,  which  they  cannot  foresee.  Though  daily  ex 
perience  shews  this  to  be  true  ;  yet  so  great  is  the 
devil's  power  over  wicked  men,  that  they  will  still  plot 
and  seek  the  ruin  eyen  of  the  harmless  and  innocent.— 
Would  mankind  but  think  seriously  on  the  laws  of  na 
ture,  which  teach  us.  to  do  to  others  what  we  would 
have  done  te  ourselves,  we  should  not  End  so  many  in- 
stances  of  cruelty  and  malice  among  Christians,  which 
even  the  very  Heathens  are  incapable  of. 

FABLE    XXXV. 

The  WITCH. 

A  "WITCH  profeffing  a  great  (kill  in  pa 
cifying  the  angry-gods,  when  provoked 
againft  a  wicked  people,   grew  fo  fuccefsful, 
that  (lie  became  a  great  gainer  thereby  ;  but 
indifted  for  witchcraft^  was   found 


0* 
52      FABLE4;*    MS  OP. 

guilty,  condemned,  and  afterwards  carried 
to  the  place  of  execution*  Whereupon  one 
feeing  her  pafs  by,  gave  her  this  fharp  taunt, 
How  couldft  thou  fhew  others  the  way  to  ap-. 
peafe  God's  wrath,  and  not  now  help  aud 
relieve  thyfelf,  when  under  the  fame  dreacU 
ful  judgment  and  calamity, 

7 he  MORAL 

Shews  us  the  folly  and  madncfs  of  too 
many,  who,  after  great  promifes  and  brags, 
can  really  perform  nothing. 

The  REMARK, 

To  teach  others  to  get  out  of  the  briers,  whilst  we 
are  ourselves  so  far  entangled,  that  we  cannot  get  out, 
is  both  sad  and  ridiculous.  Hence  we  may  learn  and 
remember  this  useful  lesson,  viz.  How  unsafe  and  dan* 
gerous  it  is  to  believe,  and  much  more  to  rely  upon  the 
vain  promises  and  idle  vapours  of  mere  pretenders,  ancl 
bare  faced  cheats, 

FABLE     JXXVI, 

The  MULE, 

A  MOLE  over-fed,  turned   wanton    and 
^fldttifh,  fell  a  kicking  and  braying  j--» 


O  V  DJ» 

LES^  <I   JESOP.       53 

moreover  bragged  that  his  father  was  as 
fwift  3s  any  ifarbary  courfer,  and  that  he 
was  every  way,  and  in  all  refpe&s,  like  him. 
.voon  after,  being  obliged  to  run  a  little,  way, 
foon  grew  weary,  remembered  that  an  afs 
begat  him. 

ihe  MORAL 

This  Fable  teaches  this  plain  leffon,  that 
though  men  may  rife  ccnfiderably  in  the 
w©rld;  however  they  (lioutd  not  forget  what 
they  are,  and  from  whence  they  came  ;— 
/nd  feeing  earthly  things  are  uncertain,  the 
higher  they  Hand,  the  fooner  their  fall  may 
be. 

Write  REMARK., f>>^>^ 

An  ancient  poet  left  behind  him  that  wholesome  ad 
vice,  Avoid  a  high  station  :  For  he  that  stands  there, 
should  take  heed  that  he  fall  not.  What  a  world  of 
examples  are  to  be  seen  every  day  of  this  kind  I  No 
journals,  no  annals  are  without  plenty  of  such  dismal 
instances  ;  To  day  a  Prince,  to-morrow  a  beggar,  and 
much  more  miserable  and  wretched.  St.  Paul  gives  us 
a  wholesome  advice,  u  Let  him  that  thinketh  he  stands, 
take  heed  lest  he  tali.'1  How  many  think  themselves 
secure  in  their  riches;  high  posts, and  acquired  honours? 
-but  they  should  remember  their  days  of  adversity  ; — 


54      FABLES  OF    ^SO  P. 

for  what  Solomon  says  of  all  earthly  enjoyments,  is  con 
firmed  by  daily  experience,  "  Vanity  of  vanities,  all  i& 
vanity." 

FABLE    XXXVIL 

A  SON  and  his  MOTHER. 

A  BOY  Dealing  a  book  at  fchool,  brought 
it  home  to  his  Mother  ;  She  countenan 
cing  her  child  in  that  naughty  courfe,  en* 
couraged  him  in  procefs  of  time,  to  fteal 
things  of  greater  value.  At  laft  being  catch 
er!  in  the  fad,  he  was  found  guilty,  and  con 
demned.  AS  he  was  going  to  the  place  of 
execution  his  Mother  followed  him?  fadly 
bewailing  his  cafe.  Upon  which  the:  Male- 
factor  defired  that  his  Mother  might  fpeak 
to  him.  She  came  according  to  his  requeft; 
and  whilft  fhe  liftened  to  hear  what  he  would 
fay.  he  bit  off  one  of  her  ears.  And  being 
chid  by  the  company,  for  what  he  did,  he 
excufed  himfelf  by  telling  them,  that  his 
Mother,  and  no  body  elfe,  was  the  caufe  of 
his  deftruftion ;  for  had  fhe  chaftifed  me 
(faid  he^  for  my  foul  offence,  I  had  no  lon 
ger  followed  the  trade  of  {tealing,  but  might 
have  lived  honeftly,  and  by  th$t  means  have 
efcaped  this  fhameful  death* 


FABLES   OF  •    -E  SOP.        55 
Ibe    MORAL, 

Plainly  declares  to  us,  that  wickednefs,  of 
what  kind  foever,  if  not  fpeedily  curbed  will 
quickly  bring  people  to  an  untimely  end. 

7be  REMARK 

That    parent   that  bas  perused   Solomon's  admirable 
proverbs,  vail  there  perceive  bow  much  wicked  childr 
Lnd  in  need  of  corrcftion  :  Which  must  be  applied  as 
soon  as  it  is  needful.     No  distemper  of  body  and  mind 
can  effe&ually  be  removed,  without  a  proper  and  suita 
ble  remedy.     A  vice  let  alone    becomes   stronger,   and 
rakes  daily  a  deeper  root,  until,  at  length,  it  turns  na~ 
tural   and  becomes  remediless.     What  a  remarkable  ex 
ample  doth    the   scripture  give  of  this  in  Eli,  and 
tsons?     How    fatal  was  his    fondness,    and   too  gen 
humour,  not  only  to  his  children,  but  to  all  Israeli-- 
So  that  parents  ought  to  consider,-  that  in-  the    bad 
education  they  give  to  their  children,  they  not  only  do 
them  harm,  but  their  country. 

FABLE    XXXVIIL 

The    BRAGGER. 

A  GREAT  traveller  returning  home  to* 
native  country,  bragged  of  fundry  no. 
table  exploits  which  he  had  performed  in 


56      F   ABLES   OF   ^SOP. 

foreign  parts— Particularly  he  told  how  he 
had  jumped  fuch  a  jump  in  the  ifland  of 
Rhodes,  that  none  living  couM  do  the  like ; 
and  that  a  great  many  of  the  Rhodians  (if  * 
they  were  prefent)  could  bear  witnefs  that 
what  he  faid  was  true.  One  of  the  ftanders- 
by  anfwering,  faid,  fir,  if  what  you  fay  is 
true,  there  is  no  need  of  vouchers,  only  fan 
cy  this  place  is  Rhodes,  and  let  us  fee  luch 
a  jump  here. 

The  MORAL. 

1  his  fable  (hews  us,  that  if  the  proof  of 
a  thing  be  not  ready  and  at  hand,  whatever 
elfecan  be  produced  in  its.  behalf  is  of  no 
force,  and  altogether  impertinent. 
The  RFMARK, 

Boasting  is  but  very  seldom  excusable.  Yet  what 
abundance  of  foolish  tops  doth  this  "age  produce,  who, 
by  their  boasting  and  bragging,  teaze  every  compary 
they  sit  in.  Wise  men  are,  for  their  own  part,  sparing 
of  their  own  adieus  ;  ior  they  who  dwell  most  on  that 
subjed,  are  commonly  looked  on  to  oe  guilty  of  parti 
ality  and  sometimes  of  untruth. 

FABLK  xxxix. 

The  DCGS. 

A    CERTAIN  perfon  kept  two  dogs,  the 
J-~*  one  for  the  houfe,  the  other  for  game.' 
When   the   game-dog   catched  any  thing, 


F  A  8  L  E  S   ©F    jESOP.       57 

the  houfe-doghad  a  (hare,  at  which  the 
game-dog  grudged,  and  upbraiding  the 
other,  told  him,  he  lived  by  his  labour,  but 
you  are  at  no  pains  to  get  your  livelihood; 
The  hoiife-dog,  vexed  with  this  (harp  taunt, 
excufed  himfelf,  faying,  you  fliould  blame 
my  matter,  not  me,  whom  he  never  tattght 
lo  do  any  thing* 

The  MdiiAL 

Informs  lis,  that  fuch  as  linderftahd  little* 
are  not  fo  much  to  be  found  fault  with  as 
their  parents,  who  took  no  care  of  their  edu« 
cation. 

?he  REMARK, 

Better  iint>ofn  than  untaught.  Good  education  is 
the  most  Valuable  thing  a  parent  can  bestow  upon  hia 
Child.  The  great  advantage  that  attends  an  early  and 
good  education,  is  what  every  one  is  so  sensible  of,  that 
ihere  is  no  need  to  speak  any  more  about  it.  How 
inany  bprn  of  mean  parents  have  raised  themselves  and 
friends  by  their  virtuous  education,  to  great  honour 
and  much  wealth  ?  A  little  cost  and  charge  this  way 
has  often  made  21  vast  rettfrsu 


H 


5S        CABLES    OF    ^SOR 
FABLE     XL. 

The  CAMEL. 

AT  the  camel's  firft  appearance  in  the 
world,  mod  creatures  were  afraid  to 
come  near  it,  by  reafon  of  its  unnatural 
bulk,  and  odd  Ihape.  But  in  procefs  of 
time^  they  perceiving  his  gentlenefs,  ventu 
red  to  come  near  him.  Boon  after,  finding 
that  he  was  a  harmlefs  creature,  they  bi  idled 
him1,  and  caufed  the  very  children  to  lead 
him  up  and  down,  and  made  him  their 
game* 

MORAL 


Cuftom  and  ufe  makes  things  eafy  which 
at  fit  ft  view  appeared  hard,  and  that  con 
temptible  which  at  firft  was  dreadful. 

The  REMARK 

Use  and  custom  are  (I  may  say)  a  second  nature.-— 
They  make  things  'easy  and  delightful,  which  at  first 
vtew  seemed  strange,  hard,  and  even  frightful.  Good 
nature  is  often  abused  :  Men,  as  well  as  children,  arc 
apt  to  make  their  game,  not  only  of  inferiors,  but  aha 
ot  superiors.  Good  nature  has  made  subjects  turn  to* 
lauiiliar  even  with  their  sovereigns. 


F  A  B  L  E  S  OF  M  S  O  P. 
FABLE    XLI. 

A  HUNTED  BEAVER. 


Beaver  (as  people  fay>  can  flay  Ion* 
Jl  ger  *n  the  water  than  any  four-footed 
beaft.  Eis  ftones  are  reckoned  to  be  good 
in  phyfic ;  When  he  finds  himfelf  purfue4 
by  the  1  unter,  he  bites  them  off,  and  leaves 
them,  &  by  this  means  faves  his  life, 

.  "he  MORAL 

This  Fable  fhews,  that  all  men  ought  tQ 
part  with  their  moft  valuable  things  to  lave 
their  lives,  when  in  danger. 

The  REMARK. 

Nature  hath  endued  all  creatures  with  self-preserva 
tion.  Nor  should  men  take  care  of  themselves  only.— 
but  also  of  their  country.  For  when  government  is  in 
danger,  every  good  subject,  without  grudging  and  mur 
muring,  oughjc  to  part  with  goods  and  estates  to  prevent 
its  ruin. 

FABLE   XLII. 

The  DAW  HUNG  by  the  FOOT. 

COUNTRY-fellow  catched  a  daw,  and 
tied  a  ftring  to  his  leg,  and  fo  gave  him 


4o      F  A  B  L  E  S  of   JE  S  O  P. 

to  a  child  to  play  withal  ;  butthe  daw  turned 
foon  weary  of  his  play-fellow,  and  gave  him, 
the  flip  as  foon  as  he  found  his  opportunity, 
and  went  off  to  the  woods  with  the  firing, 
which  (hackled  him  fo  that  he  ftaryed—  But 
as  he  was  dying,  he  fore  repented  his  folly, 
\n  going  back  to  ftarve  in  the  woods,  rather 
than  to  lead  an  eafy  life  among  men. 

Tke  MORAL. 

Mens*  humour  and  fancy  are  often  the 
caufe  of  their  uneafinefs  ;  but  where  content 
Is,  there  is  happineis. 

REMARK, 


How  many  are  impatient  let  their  condition  be  eve* 
so  easy,  and  will  still  be  changing,  thpugh  commonly 
they  change  for  the  worse,  as  the  Daw  did,  who  brought 
himself  to  a  starving  condition,  seeking  after  liberty^ 
•whereas  he  might  have  lived  easily  and  plentifully 
•Under  a  small  confinement  I  How  many  are  to  be  seen 
daily,  who,  after  a  loose  and  idle  life,  which  bring  them 
to  misery,  and  often  to  ruin  and  disgrace,  see  their  folly 
•when  it  is  too  late  ?  Liberty,  'tis  true,  is  a  very  desira 
ble  thing,  but  some  people  mistake  it  much,  who  sup 
pose  that  they  want  liberty  if  they  are  confined  to  an. 
tionest  trade  or  employment,  whereby  they  may  do 
their  duty  in  that  state  ;  whereas,  to  be  wholly  given 
to  a  lazy  and  sluggish  temper,  which  they  falsely  call 
liberty,  is  the  worst  of  slaveries 


CABLES    o*    .ffiSOp.       6r 
FABLE  XLHI. 

The  CROW  and  PIGEON. 

A  PIGEON  that  was  brought  up  in  a 
dove-houfe,  meeting  with  a  crow,  told 
him  in  a  vain  *nd  bragging  way,  how 
fruitful  {he  was,  and  what  a  number  of 
young  ones  (he  had.  Nerer  value  yourfeif 
too  much  upon  that  (fays  the  crow)  for  the 
more  children,  the  more  forrow. 

the  MORAL 

Many  children,  when  they  prove  good, 
^re  a  great  blefling ;  but  if  b<id  they  are  as 
great  a  carfe. 

The  REMARK. 

Parents  are  often  puffed  up,  and  too  vain,  if  they  have 
a  number  of  children  ;  but  they  are  seldom  taken  up 
with  the  care  of  their  education.  Wherefore  it  comes 
to  pass,  that  they  often  prove  crosses  rather  than  com 
forts.  How  many  instances  of  this  have  we  heard  of  in 
ail  ages,  and  see  but  too  many  in  this  we  live  in  ? 

FABLE     XLIV/ 

The  FOX  and  GRAB. 

AN  hungry  fox  efpied  a  crab  lying  on  the 
farid  by  the  lea*  fide*  ran,  and  fnatche4 


62      FABLES  OF   ^ESO  P. 

it  up.  The  crab  finding  that  he  was  to  be 
eaten,  faid  thus,  no  better  could  come  of  it, 
I  had  nothing  to  do  here,  tor  my  bufmefs  was, 
at  fea,  not  upon  the  land. 

The  MORAL. 

Nobody  pities  a  man  for  any  misfortune 
that  befals  him,  for  meddling  with  thinga 
out  of  his  way. 

The  REMARK* 

Some  men  are  so  very  curious  in  prying  into  the  af 
fairs  and  concerns  of  others,  that  they  often  get  a  great 
deal  of  ill  will.  Others  there  are,  who  can  never  be  at 
rest,  but  love  to  be  shifting  and  changing,  and  when 
•well,  cannot  hold  themselves  well.  A  third  sort  ther& 
are,  who  by  meddling  with  things  above  their  reach,  of 
ten  bring  themselves  and  friends  to  utter  ruin,  fo% 
which  they  may  thank  themselves. 

FABLE      XLV. 

The  REED  and  OLIVE. 

THERE  was  a  difpute  between  the  reed 
and  the  olive,  which  was  the  luftieffy 
ftiongeft,  and  firmeft       Ihe  olive  upbraid 
ed  the  reed  as  frail,  and  yielding  to  every 


FABLES   OF    &  SO  P.        63 

wind.  The  reed  was  for  fome  time  without 
returning  an  anfwer,  but  not  long — -For  a 
violent  wind  arifmg,  the  reed  was  fkakea 
and  tofied  by  its  fury,  which  the  olive  en 
deavouring  to  refift,  was  broken. 

The  MORAL. 

This  fable  (hews,  that  thofe  who  on  occa- 
fion  give  way  to  fuch  as  are  ftronger,  obtain 
their  ends  fooner  than  thofe  who  cbftinately 
refift. 

The  REMARK. 

It  is  folly,  we y  commonly  say,  to  stnve  against  the 
tide.  We  often  see  the  proud  and  lofty  brought  down 
and  humbled  ;  whereas  they  that  are  mean  and  lowly 
in  their  own  conceit,  frequently  come  either  to  honour 
or  renown,  or  at  least  they  escape  these  checks  and  turns 
of  adversity,  that  the  high  and  mighty  ones  are  subject 
to.  Thunder  oftener  breaks  on  high  mountains  than  on 
low  values  ;  and  tall  oaks  and  ceders  are  split  topieces» 
•whew  the  low  shrubs  go  free.  How  often  do  we  see 
those  that  use  all  arts  and  contrivances,  to  come  to  the 
highest  of  honours  and  preferments,  (from  whence,  as 
from  a  high  tower,  they  look  down  with  contempt  and 
neglect  on  those  they  thought  their  inferiors),  struck 
down  on  a  sudden  from  the  height  of  their  grandeur  ardi 
become  as  mean  and  contemptible  in  the  sight  of  those 
theydesp-sed,  as  the  poorest  country  fellow,  who  COB- 


64      F   ABLES  OF  ^SOP. 

tent  with  Vis  homely  condition,  never  aims  at  any  othet 
advantage  than  to  secure  himself  and  family  from  poverty 
and  hunger  ? 

FABLE     XLVI. 

A  wicked  Wretch  undertakes  to    beguile  APOLLO* 

AWICKFD  Wretch  went  to  Belphos, 
with  a  defign  to  trick  Apollo,  thus  ;— • 
He  held  a  living  Sparrow  in  his  hand  under 
his  cloak,  and  approaching  the  altar  put  this 
queflion  to  the  God  ,  O  Apollo !  may  it  pleafe 
thee,  tell  me,  whether  this  which  I  hold  in 
my  hand  be  living  or  dead  ?  Intending  to 
Ihew  the  Sparrow  alive,  if  Apollo  fhould  fay 
it  was  dead ;  or  to  fqueeze  it  to  death  in  his 
hand,  under  i  is  cloak,  fliould  Apollo  fay  it 
was  alive.  But  Apollo  knowing  the  cun 
ning  of  the  man,  anfwered,  You  need  not 
afk  my  advice  on  that  head ;  for  it  being  in 
your  power,  you  may  fliew  it  dead  or  alive, 
as  you  think  fit* 

The  MORAI/. 

This  Fable  {hews,  that  'tis  vain  for  us  to 
think  that  we  can  hide  any  thing  from  God, 
who  fees  and  knows  ail  things* 


OP    -rfESl.        (?5 
REMARK, 

Men  at  waj's  deceive  themselves  when  they  think  to., 
deceive  God,  They  must  have  very  weak  thoughts  of 
God  -ttho  think  to  juggle  with  him  as  with  their  fellow, 
creatures,  who  are  liable  to  ignorance  and  mistakes,  and 
therefore  can  be  easily  imposed  upon. 

FABLE    XLVIL 

The  UNSKILFUL  HARPER- 

CF&TAW  Harper  playing,  as  he  iiOiaf- 
iy  did  upon  his  harp  in  a  large  hall, 
i  made  a  mighty  found  and  echo  fan 
cied  himfelf  to  be  no  mean  aftift.  Puffed 
tip  with  this  vain  conceit,  he  muft  needs  be 
one^ofthe  mufic  in  tHe  playhoiife;  where 
having  appeared,  he  begaii  to  pl^y  ;  but  f6 
harfh  and  unpteafaht  wa&  his  niufic,  that  he 
was  hifled  out  ofthehoiife. 


This  Fable  fiiewg,  that  many,  who  thiiik 
thetofelves  to  be  no  fmall  perfons,  art,  upoa 
'$  found  to  be  very  weak  and  ignorant. 


FABLES    OF    &SO  P. 

REMARK. 


The  world  abounds  with  more  pretenders  to  learning^, 
than  truly  learned.  How  many  do  we  see  daily,  wh* 
having  for  some  time  ranged  about  the  streets  with  a 
Mountebank,  and  learned  a  little  of  his  quacking,  set 
tip  for  able  Physicians,  and  give  out  (with  a  great 
st">ck  of  impudence)  that  they  can  cure  all  diseases, 
when  they  really  kndw  nothing  of  the  matter  ?  I  have 
known  a  fellow,  who  having  served  his  apprenticeship 
to  a  Gipsy,  immediately  set  up  for  a  great  Fortune  tel- 
ler  and  Astrologer,  wh;n  he  knew  no  more  of  it  than 
Serjeant  Kite  in  the  play.  Ami  so  it  is  in  all  other 
sciences  and  trader  There  can  be  no  greater  sign  of 
folly,  than  for  any  one  to  be  wise  in  his  own  conceit; 
and  they  that  are  thus  fond  of  their  silly  performance, 
seldom  come  better  off  than  this  unskilful  Harper,  w_ho 
thought  that  he  could  as  sufficiently  please  the  learned, 
by  his  music,*  as  he  pleased  himself. 

F  ABLE*  XLVIIL 

THIEVES  breaking    into  a  HOUSE. 

AS  a  gang  of  Thieves  were  bufy  breaking 
into  a  houfe,  a  Maftiffthat  lay  within, 
fell  a  barking.  One  cf  the  I  hieves  fpoke  to 
him  fair,  and  offered  him  a  piece  of  bread 
to  ftop  .his  mouth  >  to  whom  the  dog  an- 
fwered,  I  fmell  your  wicked  defign^  Do 
you  take  me  to  be  fuch  a  fool  as  to  be  bribed, 


F  A  B  L  E  S  o;  JE  S  O  P.      $7 

and  betray  my  mafter  ?  You  offer  me  a 
piece  of  bread,  tut  1  fcorn  your  offer,  for 
fhould  I  take  it,  you  would  rifle  the  hcufes 
and  get  off  while  1  am  eating. 

The  MORAL 
' 

This  Fable  fliews  that  neither  fair  promi- 
ies,  nor  prefents,  fhould  tempt  any  one  to 
betray  his  trufh 

Ths  REMARK. 

There  are  a  great  many  servants  not  half  so  true  to 
their  masters  as  this  Dog 'was  to  his;  for  a  loaf  of 
bread  was  as  great  a  temptation  to  him,  as  a  bag  of 
money  to  a  man.  Yet  very  few  are  proof  agair.st  such 
an  cffeu  So  that  this  dog  is  a  great  reproach  to  all 
false  trustees  ;  for  the  greater  the  trust  is,  the  grtatej 
the  treachery. 

FABLE   XLIX: 

The  DOG  and  the  WCLF. 

A  DOG  and  a  Wolf  met  accidently  toge* 
"^  ther  upon  the  highway.  1  he  we  li  toid 
the  Dog,  that  he  \vas  glad  to  fee  him,  £i»d 
wanted  to  know  how-it  came  to  paft  that  he 
looked  fo  fat  and  jolly  ?  What !  lays  the 


68      FABLES  or   JESO  P. 

<2og,  I  keep  my  matter's  houfe  from  thieves, 
and  I  have  very  good  meat,  drink  and  lodg! 
ing  for  mv  pains.  I  wifh,  fays  the  wolf.  I 
were  as  well  provided  for.  Truly,  fays  tht* 
Dog,  if  you  will  go  along  with  me,  I'll  fpeak 
to  my  matter  in  your  favour,  and  I  doubt  not 
but  you  will  fareas  well,  if  you  will  be  as 
good  a  fervant  as  I  am.  f  he  Wolf  wns  vsry' 
well  pleaied,  promifing  fairly;  and  away 
they  trot  together,  and  were  very  pleafcnt 
company  on  the  way.  At  length,  as  fhey 
came  nigh  the  houfe,  the  Wolf  fpied  a  bare 
place  about  the  Jog's  neck,  where  the  hair 
was  worn  off,  brother,  fays  he,  How  comes 
thh  I  pray  thte  ?  oh  !  tha.ts  nothing,  %ys  the 
Dog,  but  the  fretting  of  my  collar  a  little.— 
>  ay,  %s  the  Wolf,  if  there  be  a  collar  in 
the  cafe,  I  know  better  things  than  to  fell  ray 
liberty  for  a  cruft. 

MORAL. 


Fable  fhews,  how  valuable  a  thing 
liberty  is   and  that  all  other  things  without 
jt  can  give  ao  comfort. 
'  he 


All  creatures  have  a  desire  alter  liberty,  which  they 
yilluo;  exchange  for  any  thing  else.    The  Wolf  you 


FABLES    or    ^E  S  O  P.      6«> 

$ee  here  in  this  fable  was  well  enough  pleased  with  the 
good  plight  the  Dog  was  in  ;  he  thought  it  a  good 
thing  to  have  meat,  drink,  and  lodging,  at  his  command; 
but  had  no  fancy  at  all. for  his  collar  :  And  truly  he  that 
sells  freedom  for  the' cramming  of  his  gut,,  ma-kes  at 
best  but  a  bad  bargain  ;  for  though  such  a  nne  looketh 
•well  in  the  eyes  of  the  silly  and  ignorant  people,  who 
have  no  further  view  than  line  cioaths,  plenty  of  provi 
sions,  ae4  money  ;  yet  he  will  appear  but  mean  and 
servile  tv>  such  as  consider  him  with  a  more  considering 
eye,  as  the  Wolf  did  the  Dog's  neck. 

FABLE    L. 

•  4* 

A  MAN  bit  by  a  DOG. 

ONE  that  was  bitten  by  a  Dog,  was  ad- 
vifed  (as  the  beft  remedy  in  the  world) 
to  dip  a  piece  of  bread  in  the  blood  of  the 
wound,  and  give  the  Dog  to  eat*  Pray  hold 
there,  fays  the  man j  I  have  no  irind  to 
draw  all  the  Dogs  in  the  town  upon  me  ;~- 
for  that  will  certainly  be  the  end  on't,  when 
they  fhall  find  themfelves  rewarded  inftead  of 
jwnijthed, 

The  MORAL 

natyre  is  a  great  misfortune,  whea 
t  s  not  raajwged  with  prudence. 


70      F  A  B  L  E  S   OF   JE  S  O  P. 

the  REMARK, 

Wicked  and  ill-natured  men  can  never  be  obliged  by 
kindnesses,  which  oftentimes  make  them  more  insolent; 
and  it  is  a  great  temptation  to  go  on  in  their  course, 
when  they  Lre  the  better  for  evil  doing.  Christian 
charity,  'tis  true,  bids  us  return  good  for  evil ;  but  it 
does  not  oblige  us  10  reward  where  we  shouUl  punish. 
This  way  oi  proceeding  is  dangerous  in  public,  as  well 
as  in  private  affairs;  for  bad  mcj],when  they  find  the  in- 
sejves  treated  with  too  much  tenderness?  are  thereby 
encouraged  to  be  worse  and  worse.  Quarrelsome  men, 
as  well  as  quarrelsome  ciirs^are  worse  tor  fair  usage. — 
We  h<ive  many  examples  of  this  nature  at  home  and 
abroad.  How  many  kingdoms,  as  well  as  private  fa- 
milies,  have  not  only  been  in  great  danger,  but  brought 
to  utter  ruin,  by  bold,  insolent,  and  designing  villains, 
when  their  superiors  were  but  too  good  n  am  red,  and 
thought  to  reclaim  them  by  gentle  and'  'kindly'  means, 
•which  is  the  wrong  way  of  managing  such  obstinate  anc^ 
perverse  tempers* 

FABLE      LI. 

A  SOW  and  a  DOG. 

A  SOW  and  Dog  fell  a   fcolding,  an<$ 
the  Sow,  in  a  great  wratha  fwore  by 
Venus,  that  ihe  would  tear  him  to  pieces  if 
he  did  not  hold  his  peace  :  A  h  !*  fays  the  Dog, 
you  do  well  to  fwear  by  Venus  indeed,  who 


FABLES   OF  t  JE  S  O  P.        71 

cannot  abide  any  creature  about  her  that 
eats  Swine's  fledi.  You  fool,  fays  the  Sow, 
do  not  you  know  this  is  a  great  token  of  her 
love  to  me,  not  to  endure  any  thing  that 
hurts  me?  But  as  tor  Dog's  fiefti,  it  is  good  for 
nothing^  either  dead  or 


?he  MORAL, 

This  F^ble  (hews  us,  how  prudent  it  is, 
when  a  quyrel  or  difpute  arifeth,  to  break. 
itoffwithaje/t. 

The  REMARK. 

'Tis  a  common  thing  for  men  to  boast  and  value 
themselves  upon  their  interest  and  familiarity  with 
great  meiv  whom,  it  IT>aY  b^  tney  never  spoke  to,— 
Others,  upon  slender  acquaintance,  intrude  so  much  into 
the  company  of  their  betters,  that  they  become  botU 
uneasy  and  impertinent.  Even  when  they  think  them 
selves  favourites,  cannot  but  expose  them  to  the  scorn 
of  such  as  know  how  matters  stand  with  them  ;  as  the; 
Sow  here  in  the  Fable  appeals  to  Venust  as  jier  pa 
troness,  before  the  Dog,  when  she  might  easily  have 
foreseen,  that  the  Dog  could  not  miss  of  reproaching 
her  as  a  liar.  However,  when  people  have  overshot 
themselves,  the  beat  way  is  to  turu  off  tlie  scandal  with 
a  jest. 


;2      F  ABLES  OF  JESO& 
FABLE  LIL 

A  STAG  and  LION. 

A  STAG  that  was  clofely  ptirfued  by  the 
•rv  huntfmen,  fled  for  fafety  into  a  deir 
where  a  Lion  chan  ed  to  be,  and  before  he 
was  aware,  the  Lion  immediately  got  hold  of 
him  ;  aid  as  he  was  expiring  tinder  his 
paws,  Miferable  creature  that  I  am,  fays  he, 
endeavouring  to  efcape  the  hands  of  men,  I 
have  unluckily  run  into  the  paws  of  the 
fierceftof  beafts. 

The  MORAJU 

Th«s  Fable  Ihews,  that  many,  while  they 
think  to  get  rid  offmall  danger,  run  them* 
felves  headtong  into  greater  mifchief. 

The  REMARK. 

Men  in  this  world  are  threatened  with  danger  on 
H  hands,  some  of  which  they  cannot  easily  avoid,— 
But  vvhen  men  are  brought  to  this  pass,  that  they 
koow  not  wjudi  way .  t</  turn,  they  should  fol 
low  the  advice '&  the  prc  verb,  Of  two  evils,' the  lesser 
is  to  be  chosen,^  How  unaccountable  is  the  conduct 
of  some,  who,  endeavouring  to  avoid  pressing  difficul 
ties,  fly  for  refuse  to  thieves  and  murderers*  and  so,  by 


FABLES    OF     JE  S  O  P,        73 

«•  ngageing  in  their  wicked  ways,  bring  themselves  unto 
a  shameful  end.  The  proverb  holds  good  here,  viz. — 
That  men  should  always  look  before 'they  leap;  for 
they  that  aft  without  consideration,  must  needs  repent 
them  of  their  rash  engagements,  whereby  they  often  ruin 
riot  only  themselves,  but  alsa  their  whole  family,  as 
well  in  their  estates,  as  their  reputation. 

FABLE     LIIL 

The  PIDGEON  and  WATERPOT. 

APIDGEON,  that  was  extremely  thirf- 
ty,  found  a  Pitcher  with  a  little  water 
in  it,  but  it  lay  fo  low,  that  he  could  not 
come  at  it  :  He  tried  firft  to  break  the  Pot> 
but  it  was  to  ftrong  for  him  j  he  trie!  then 
to  overturn  it,  but  it  was  too  heavy  for  him, 
at  laft  he  bethought  himfelf  of  a  device  that 
did  his  bufinefsj  which  was  this  :  He  went 
and  brought  little  pebbles,  and  dropt  them 
in -the  water,  and  fo  railed  it  till  he  had  it 
within  his  reach. 

7  be    MORAL 

What  we  cannot  compa&  by  force,  we 
may  by  art  and  invention, 

K 


74        FABLES    OF    M  S  0  P. 

REMARK.' 


Necessity  is  very  oft  the  mother  of  invention  ;  and 
•we  find  that  some  when  they  are  put  to  their  wit's  end^ 
have  presently  fallen  upon  a  shift,  which  otherwise 
•would  never  entered  into  their  heads.  We  commonly 
say,  that  wiles  help  weak  folks  ;.  as  we  see  in  this  fa- 
ble5  that  the  Pidgeon  came  nearer  :o  his  purpose  by  his. 
cunning  device,  than  by  his  force  and  strength,  which 
before  he  had  spent  in  vain. 

FABLE    LIV. 

THIEVES  and  a  COCK. 

AB&ND  of  thieves  broke  into  a  houfe 
once,  and  found  nothing  to  carry  a- 
way  but  one  poor  Cock  :  The  Cock  faid  as 
mush  for  himfelf  as  a  Cock  could  fay  ;  — 
but  he  chiefly  fpoke  of  the  fervices  which 
be  did  by  calling  people  up  to  their  work, 
when  it  was  time  to  rife.  Sirrah  fays  one 
of  the  thieves,  you  had  better  fpoke  nothing 
of  that,  for  your  waking  the  family  fpoiU 
all  our  trade,  and  your  bawling  very  oft 
makes  us  run  the  hazard  of  hanging* 


F  A  B  L  E  S  OF  JE  S  O  P. 


The 

This  Fable  (hews,  that  many  a  man,  by 
his  fooliih  talk,  is  the  occafion  of  his  own 

ruin. 

The  REMARK. 

The  government  of  the  tongue  is  a  notable  thing  ; 
and  it  is  a  great  sign  of  a  prudent  and   sober  man,   n 
to  let  any  thing  drop  from  his    mouth    which    may  t 
made  use    of  against  himself;  for  it  has  often  happen- 
ed,  that  one   fcolish  word  has  spoiled  a  good  cause.— 
Had  the    silly  cock  been  so  wise    as  to  keep  his  o\yn 
counsel,  the  thieves  would  hardly  have  thought  it  worth 
their  while  to  carry  him  off.     Seldom  comes  any  gooc 
of  too  much  prating.     Though  goo4  men  are  consciou 
to  themselves,  that  they  discharge  their  duty  with  h 
nesty    and    care   towards    their    neighbours  ;  yet  they 
ought   well  to  know  in  what  company  they  are,  be 
they  presume  to  let   their  virtues   be   known  ;  be'causc 
virtue  is  always  despised  by  the   wicked,  and  they  that 
delight  in  darkness,  and    love    not    that    their   adieus 
should  come  to  light,  hate  those  whose  deeds  are  coil 
trary  to  their  own. 

F  ABLE   LV. 

The  SHEPHERD  and  FOX. 

AS   a  Shepherd  was  one  day  playing  on 
his   pipe,   up  comes  the  Fox,  charmed 
with  his  nwfic,  and  told  him  what  great  de- 


>6      FABLES   OF   JE  S  O  P. 

fire  he  had  to  become  one  of  his  family,' 
that  he  might  have  the  pleafure  always  of 
hearing  his  fweet  pipe,  \erily  friend  Key- 
nard,  fay?  the  fhepherd,  you  ftJl  be  very 
welcome  into  my  family,  providing  that  you 
leave  your  teeth  and  nails  behind  you. 

7&e  MORAL. 

There  is  no  trufting  of  fair  words  from  a 
known  and  profeSed  enemy,  without  the 
beft  fecurity  that  can  be  had. 

fie  REMARK. 

One  can  never  be  too  wary  -who  to  trust.  It  is  the 
interest  of  all  men  to  know  well  those  whom  they  enter 
into  friendship  with  ;  for  there  are  some  men,  let  them 
speak  ever  so  fair,  that  are  knaves  at  the  bottom  ;  and 
there  are  some  sharpers  in  the  world,  that  IT- en  -'must 
^tand  upon  their  guard  for  fear  of  being  tricked. 

FABLE     LVL 

The  COCKLES  ROASTED. 

AS  a  country  boy-  was  roaftirig  Cockles, 
he  heard  them  hifs  with  the  great  heat  of 
ihe  fire  :  "What  fill)  wretches  are  ye-,  Jays  he* 


FABLES    cr    .ESC  P.      77 


thus  to  ling,  ^'hl!e  ycur  hcufe  is  burning  a- 
bout  your  ears  ? 

The  MORAL 

This  Fable  .fhewe,  that  every  thing  done 
qwt  of  feafcn,  looks  ridiculous. 

The  RBMASK. 

Many  a  good  advice  has  been  lost  for  not  timing  it 
right;  and  many  have  been  thought  tedious  and  im 
pertinent,  who  had  they  taken  a  fit  opportunity y  wr,uld 
have  been  looked  upon  as  \vise  arid  prudent  counsellors* 
Solomon  says  very  wisely,  that  there  is  a  time  to  laugh, 
and  a  time  to  mourn  ;  so  that  -people  should  suit  thfebf 
behaviour  with'  the  present  occasion. 

FABLE    LVH. 

The  SICK  KITE. 

"B^N  the  Kite  lay  fick  and  like  to 
d;e,  he  fends  to  his  mother  and  de- 
fires  her  to  pray  to  the  -gods  for  his  recove 
ry.  Alas,  my  child,  fays  the  mother,  how 
en?  ym  c^ueft  that  they  fhould  fend  you 
any  relief,  feeing  you  have  robbed  their  al 
tars  fo  often  ? 


78      F  A  B  LES  o*   ;£  S  O  P* 

The  MORAL, 

We  ought  to  have  a  great  reverence  for 
God,  and  every  thing  th^l  belongs  to  his 
worfhip,  if  we  expeft  that  he  fliouid  hear  us 
when  we  call  upon,  him, 

the  RBMARK* 

This  Fable  shews  u^  that  nothing  but  a  gcod  and 
truly  Christian  life  can  make  death  easy  to  us.  Can 
•we  expect  -that  God  should  beams  on  our  death  bedj— 
when  in  all  cur  life  we  are  at  no  pains  to  please  him, 
cr  hearken  to  his  precepts  ?  This  shews  us  also  the  fol« 
Jy  and  great  madness  oFsuch  as  trust  to  a  death  bed  re- 
pentence  ;  when  they  1  ve  lived  a  wicked  life,  and  can 
serve  the  devil  no  lonr-  -  •  .4  u  ue  supposed,  that  such 
3  short  time  vviii  be  <  '-:ugh  for  the  great  work  of  re 
conciling  ourselves  to  Go«l  ?  The  best  way  to  secure 
God's  favour  'ni  the  time  of  adversity,  is  to  be  mindful 
of  him  in  our  prosperity.  The  preacher's  advice,  who 
tiesircs  us  to  remember  cur  creator  in  the  days  of  our 
youth,  is  now  of  little  weight  with  those  that  from  their 
infancy  think  of  nothing  but  roguery  and  rapine  ;  who 
to  satisfy  their  boundless  lust,  spare  nothing  eijther  sa- 
c.reci  or  profane.  Little  do  suck  people  think,  that  they 
must 'one  day  answer  for  all  their  violences  that  at  pre- 
ihey  glory  ine 


FABLES   OF'  -E  SOP.        79 
•FABLE    LVIIL 

The  SHEPHERD  and  bis  FLOCK. 

AS  a  certain  Countryman   was  feeding 
his  fheep  in  a  fine  day  by  the  fea  fidej 
and  feeing  the  fea   fo    calm  and  fmopth,  he 
thought  to  fet  up  for  a  merchant,  and  ven 
ture  fomething.     Away  he  goes  in  all  hafte 
fells   feme   of  his  fheep,  buys  a  bargain  of 
figs,  and  to  fea    he  goes.     It  happened  that 
there  arofe  fuch  a  tempeft,  that  the  feamea 
were  fain  to  calt  their  loading  over  board y 
to  fave  their  own  lives.     So  our  new  mer 
chant  came  home  very   foon,  and  betook 
himfelf  to  his  old  trade  again.     It  happened, 
as  he  was    feeding  his  fheep  upon  the  fame 
coaih   that  there  was  fuch  a  fine  day>  and 
caim  fea,  as  had  tempted  him  before.     Yea* 
faid   he  ta  the  fea,  you  think  to  flatter  me 
once  more,  but  1  am  not  fuch  a  fool  as  to  be 
fo  gulled  out  of  the  reft  of  my  fheep. 

The  MORAL. 

Experience  teaches  fools,  as  we  fay  in 
the  proverb,  to  be  wife  ;  and  if  that  cio  it 
not,  nothing  will. 

The  REMARK. 

How  happy  may  many  persons  be  in  al!  estates,  if 
they  cun  but  suit  thtir  nuad  to  their  condiuon  1  A 


8b      F  ABLE  S   OF   -ffiS.OP. 

Shepherd  may  be  as  easy  in  a  cottage  as  a  Prince  in  2 
palace.  But  every  man  living  has  his  weak  sid-  ;— 
and  we  seldom  see  people  so  easy,  but  that  they  are  dis- 
contented  about  something-,  and  fancy  they  may  be  bet 
ter  in  another  station,  ever  Lllowiflg  some  -trade  or  bu 
siness,  that  they  don't  per  taps  understand  ;  and  so  when 
they  meet  with  disapp  ..laments,  it  shews  them  how 
•well  they  were  at  first,  'f  th--y  '  would  have  kept  so.— ~ 
The  reason"  of  this  restless  temper  is,  because  people  do 
not  look  upon  the  station  they  are  in,  as  that  wherein 
God  is  well  pleased  to ,  place  thena  ;  which  makes  them 
hanker  and  greedily  pursue  after  something  else,  with 
out  considering  whether  they  can  serve  God  in  that 
condition,  better  than  in  that  state  whajre  providence  has 
•fceexi  pleased  to  call  them, 

FABLE  LIX. 

The  -WOLF  and  CRANE. 

THERE  was  a  Wolf  that  had  got  a 
bone  in  his  throat,  and  being  like  to 
be  choaked,  he  intreated  all  the  beafts  to 
help  him  ;  but  when  none  came  to  his  af- 
fiftance,  he  promifed  a  considerable  reward 
to  the  Crane,  if  (he  would  put  her  long  bill 
down  his  throat,  and  draw,  out  the  bone.— 
He  prevails  with  the  Crane,  and  when  fhe 
had  done  him  that  good  office,  claimed  his 
promife*  Why  now  impudence,  fays  the 


FABLES    OF-   JE  SOP.        gi 

Wolf,  when  you  put  your  .bead  into  my 
mouth,,  and  then  brought  it  out  again  fair 
and  round,  I  think  that*s  a  reward  enough  - 
Could  not  I  have  bit  off  your  head  ?  So 
I  think,  you  owe  me  your  life,  and  that's  a 
very  good  recompense. 

The  MORAL. 

Tjs  Foft  kindnefs  that's  done  to  an  un- 
grateful  perfon. 


Tho»   it  be  commonly  said,  that  one   good  turn  re- 
<ju.res  mother  ;   it.  ^.different  wljen  people  have  to  do 

a  kindness  so  far,  that  he  would  not  take  -away  the 
life  of  that  creature  who  preserved  his  own.  But  we 
have  many  instances  of  those  who  have  been  their 


ruin 


een  te 

raised    them  from  the  dunghill.      Nay,  too 
do  we**,  who   ,et  their  parenfs  starve,  who 
their  substance    to  put  them  in  a  way  .  of  HviJ     Bu 
to  be  sure,    vengeance     w,il    overtake  such 

ciuelty 


S3 '       FABLES    OF    JE  S  O  E 
FABLE    LI. 

The  HUSBANDMAN  and    SERPENT. 

A  CO  rJ Ml  RYM  AN  happened,  in  a  hard 
winter,  to  efpy  a  ferpent  uader  a  hedge, 
that  was  half  frozen  to  death:  The  good 
natured  man  took  it  up,  and  kept  it  in  his 
bofom  till  waravth  brought  it  to  life  again  ; 
aridfofoonas  i:' was. in  a  condition  to  do 
an/  thing,  it  bit  the  very  man  that  faved  the 
life  on't.°  Ah  !  thou  ungrateful  wretch,  fays 
he,  can  thy  ill-nature  be  fatisfied  with  no. 
thing  lefs  than  the  ruin  of  thy  preferver  ? 

The  MORAL. 

'Tis  natural  for  fome  men,  like  the  Ser 
pent,  to  do  more  mifchief,  the  more  kind- 
uefs  one  does  them. 

<fhe  REMARK. 

>Tis  an  excellent  saying  of  the  prophet,    "  Can  any 
man  take  fire    "  in  his  bosom,  and  not  be  burned  ? 
So  he  that  takes  an  ungrateful    man    into   his    bosom, 
must  exped    to  be  betrayed.     But  it  is  no  new    thing 
with  good  natured  men   to  meet     with   ungrateful 
turns  :  Therefore  friendship    and  kindness  ought  1 
mil  weighed  and  considered  before  they  are  bestowed- 


FABLES   OF  M  S  O  P.      83 

For  'tis  very  true,  as  the  proverb  says,  save  a  thief  from 
the  gallows,  and  he  will  cut  your  throat.  This  Fable 
also  strikes  at  such  as  indulge  their  base  vices  ;  those 
are  so  many  Snakes,  who  \vill  certainly  destroy  bot,h 
scul  and  body  at  last  ;  if  they  be  kept  in  the  service  ot 
sin,  they  will  meet  with  no  better  reward  than  the  Coun 
tryman  did  from  the  Serpent. 


A 


FA,BLE 

A  LION  grown  OLD. 


LION,  who  in  his  younger  days  had 
got  a  great  many  enemies  by  his  fierce- 
liefs  and  cruelty,  came  at  laft  to  be  reduced^ 
in  his  old  agef  to  a  great  deal' of  miftry  and 
contempt ;  fo  that  mod  of  thebeafts  cut  of 
tev-nge,  came  and  fell  upon  him*  Among/t 
the  reft  the  ^fs  comes  and  kicks  him  with 
her  foot ;  then  the  Lion  groaning,  faid,  I  am 
a  miserable  creature  indeed  !  ^nd,  I  confefs 
I  deferve  no  kind  ufagefrom.  fome  to  whom, 
I  have  been  flo  friend  ;  but  that  others  fhoulct 
ferve  me  fo,  to  whom  I  have  been  very 
kind,  1  think  it  is  very  hard  :  But  there  fe 
nothing  goes  fo  near  my  heart  as  to  be  kick 
ed  by  the  heel  of  au  /-fs, 


84      F  A  B  L  E  S   OF    JH  S  O  P. 

MORAL. 


No  body  ought  to  be  haughty  in  his'prof- 
perityj  for  if  fortune  does  but  frown  upon 
him,  he  foon  becomes  cojitemptible. 

7  he  REMARK. 

It  is  the  interest  of  all  persons  to  secure  for  them 
selves  something  against  the  time  of  need.  Our  Sa 
viour  commends  the  conduct  of  the  unjust  ste  ward)  who 
made  friends  £Q  himself,  who  should  receive  Jrim  into 
their  hou-ses,  as  soon  .  as  he  was  turned  off;  and  we  are 
desired,  in  the  conclusion  of  that  parable,  to  make  our 
selves  friends  with  the  mornmon  of  unrighteousness,  that 
we  may  be  received  into  everlasting  habitations.  "How 
miserable  is  the  condition  of  such,  who,  to  gratify  some 
base  vice,  such  as  pride,  malice,  or  for  the  base  lucre  of 
money,  lose  soul  and  body,  and  reputation  !  Such  leave 
this  wo/Id  u  nlamented,  and  unpitied,  and  enter  on  the 
next  with  a  conscience  stung  with  a  guilty  remembrance, 
of  their  wickedness,  and  full  of  horror  at  the  prospedV 
of  divine  vengeance.  Solomon  gives  a  fair  warning  to 
such,  in  the  book  of  Ecclesiastcs,  where  he  says,  u  Re 
joice,  O  young  man,  in  ,thy  youth,  and  let  thy  heart 
cheer  thee  in  the  days  of  thy  youth,  and  walk  in  the. 
•ways  of  thine  heart,  and  in  the  sight  of  thine  eyes;  — 
but  know  thou  that  for  ail  these  things,  God  will  bring. 
thee  unto  judgment." 


FABLES    tit"MSQ.l\      §5 

FABLE  LXIL 

The  SPANIEL  and  ASS. 

GENFLEM4N  had  get  a  pretty  Span- 
lei  that  -was  ftill  leaping  uponhim,licking 
his  hands,  cheeks,  and  face,  and  playing  a 
thoufand  tricks.,  wherewith  the  matter  was 
pleafed.  1  here  was  an  Afs  about  the  houfe 
who  feeing  (his,  began  to  think  of  her  own 
fad  fortune,  how  (he  muft  fudge  $bout  with 
her  burden,  an<i  never  be  at  reft,  yet  always 
beat  •  whilft  this  idle  puppy  was  his  matter's 
favourite,  fed  with  the  beft,  and  careffed  by 
every  body.  The,  fs.  finding  him  fo  well 
treated,  muft  need?  go  the  fame  way  to  work 
to  curry  favour  wiih  her  matter  ;  -V0  the  firft 
time  fhefW  him,  fh-  ran  to  ward  *  him,  leaped 
upon . -hfoi,  &  dauling  him  with  her  nafly 
hoofs,  alaioit  beat  him  down  to  the  ground; 
whereupon  he  called  to  his  fervants,  and  fo 
the  poor  afs  was  foundly  cudgelled  for  he? 
Jondiiefs. 

,  ~'he  MORAL 

People  iu  all  ftations  ought  to  know  their 
one  dnbnce  ;  becaufe  too  much  familiarity 
fereeds  contempt. 


86      F  A  B  LES-  OF    2E  S  O  P. 

REMARK 


Men  ought  to  observe  order  and  decency  ifo  all' 
thing's  ;  for  that  nitty  become  one  man,  which  is  no  ways 
proper  for  another  ;  and  .some,  by  their  too  much  of- 
ficiousness,  do  themselves  no  kindness.  They  are  look 
ed  upon  a?  fondlings,  who  seek  after  something  t* 
themselves,  and  so  by  this  means  they  lose  both  their 
credit  ar.d  design.  Tins  Fable  also  strikes  at  such  a£ 
are  discos  tented  with  the  station  wherein  God  is  pleased 
to  place  them  :  They  look  upon  others  with  an  envious 
eye,  whom  they  suppose  to  be  in  better  circumstances; 
So  while  they  attempt  to  raise  themselves  by  indirect 
means,  they  go  out  of  that  road  which  Providence  has 
allotted  them  ;  and  it  is  no  wonder  if  they  meet;  with  2 
scourge  to  humble  them. 

FABLE     LXIIL 

The,  LION  and  MOUSE. 

ALIONJ  that  liad  been  faint  and  weary 
travelling  in  a  hot  day?  lay  down  under 
a  (hade,  and  fell  afleep,  but  was  foon  awak 
ened  by  a  parcel  of  mice  who  run  over  his 
backbone  of  which  he  caught  .  This  poor 
prifoner  pleads,  that  he  was  not  worthy  of 
his  wrath  :  'Tis  true,  fays  the  Lion,  it  is  not 
worth  my  while  to  meddle  with  you,  and 
fo  let  him  go,  Some  tune  afterwards  it 


VA  BLES   OF    IE  SOP.        S7 

happened,  that  this  fame  Lion  was  caught  in 
a  net,  and  fell  a  roaring  ;  the  Mo  ufe  pre- 
fently  knows  the  voice,  runs  out,  and  fell  to 
work  upon  the  couplings  of  the  net,  gnaws 
the  thread  to  pieees,  and  ia  gratitude  deli 
vered  her  preserver. 

7/je  MORAL 

There  is  no  body  fo  inconfiderable,  but 
fome  time  or  other  there  may  be  oceafion 
for  him. 

The  REMARK. 

In  this  Fable  we  see  the  generosity 'of  the  Lion,- 
and  the  gratitude  of  the  Mouse  ;  and  notwithstanding 
the  power  and  greatness  of  the  one,  who  expected  no 
jcturn,  (and  who  would  "have  thought  that  the  life  of 
the  Lion  should  lie  at  the  mercy  of  the  Mouse  r)  yet 
the  meanness  of  the  other  did  not  hinder,  but  jhat  he 
stood  in  great  need  of  her  assistance  ;  which  should 
teach  us  not  to  despise  the  meanest  of  creatures,  be- 
cause  they  may  be  of  use  to  us  ;  and  so  we  ought  ne 
ver  willfiflllyto  disoblige  any  body  ;  for  if  we  did  by 
others  as  we  would  have  others  to  do  by  us,  this  is  the 
best  way  to  do  omselves  and  others  a  kindness.. 


18      F   ABLES   OF   IE 3  0  P. 
F  ABLE  LXIV. 

The  ?ROG.S  desiring  a  KING. 

"HEN  the  Frogs,  had  grown  canton 
with  too  much  liberty,  they  petiti 
oned  {upiterfor  a  King;  Jupiter  who  knew 
the  vanity  of  their  hearts,. refufed  them  ; — . 
but  they  were  fo  importunate,  that  at  laft  he 
threw  down  a  log  ior  their  king,  vhio'h,  at 
the  firft  daflh,  made  a,  mighty  flir  in  the 
lake,  and  frightened  them  fq,  that  all.  fculk- 
ed  in  the  mud  ;  this  fear  kept  them  in  awe 
for  fome  time,  till  one  of  the  Frogs  bolder 
than  the  reft,  put  up  his  head,  and  loaked 
about  him  to  fee  now  matters  went  with 
their  new  king  ;  afcd  finding  that  he  (lirred 
not,  drew  near  by  little  and  little,  till  at  laft 
he  perceived  what  it  was;  upon  this  he 
calls  his  fellow  fubjtfits,  and  difcovers  the 
•whole  matter  to  theni^.fo  that  nothing  would 
ferve  them  but  they  muft  ride  a-top  of  hinv; 
infomucfa^  that  the  fear  they  were  in  before 
is  now  turned  into  infoleiice  and  contempt. 
Jupiter  is  intreated  a  fecond  time,  for  this 
king  was  too  tame,  and  they  defire  one  that 
fome  courage ;  io  Jupiter  feiu  them  a 


rftB-LES-  OF    j£SOP.        89 

ferpent,  which  moving  ftoutly  tip  and  down 
the  fen,  left  theoi  neither  liberty  nor  pro 
perty,  but  devoured  all  the  Frogs  that  came 
in  his  way  :  J  he  Togs  fend  once  more  tQ 
Jupiter,  complaining  of  the  king's  cruelty, 
ancT  drilling  they  may  have  another  ;  but 
Jupiter  anfwers  them,  that  they  who  petition 
againft  a  gracious  king,  muft  now  endure 
one  who  has  no  mercy. 

The  MORAL. 

They  that  will  riot  ber  dohtented  when 
they  are  well,  muft  be  patient  when  things 
are  amifs  with  therm 


The 

It  usually  befals  the  common  people  a<*  it  did  with 
the  Frogs,  who  if  they  have,  a  king  a  little  more  mild, 
they  find  fault  with  him  thai  he  is  slothful  and  idle 
and  wish  that  they  may  once  have  a  man  of  valour.  — 
On  the  contrary,  if  at  any  time  they  have  a  king  that 
hath  mettle  in  him,  they  condemn  this  king's  cruelty, 
and  commend  the  ,  clemency  of  the  former.  'Tis  the 
temper  of  a  great  many  to  be  weary  of  things  present; 
and  yet  the  oftener  they  change,  and  the  further  they 
go,  they  fare  still  the  wcrse*  Wisely  doth  Solomon  en 
join  us,  to  fear  God  and  honour  the  Kin.r,  and  not  to 
iheddle  with  such  as  are  given  to  change* 
M 


FABLES   OF    JESOi*? 
FABLE    LXV. 

The  KITE,  HAWK  and  PIGEONS. 
Pigeons  once  made  war 


Kite,  and  that  they  might  ^be  able  to 
beat  him,  made  choice  of  the  Hawk  fo  :  their 
King.  Bat  as  Io6n  as  he  got  the  govern- 
ment,  he  afted  more  like  a  tyrant  than  a 
King,  making  a  greater  havock  among  them 
than  the  Kite  had  dc<ne.  The  Pigeons  at 
laft  repented  of  their  choice,  faying,  we  had 
4one-  better  to  have  t&<j>r$  ^itti  /the  Kite's 
feverity,  than  this  to  .fuffdr  the  ,  tyranny  of 
the  Hawk. 

7  he    MORAL 

'Tis  good  to  follow  St  Paul's  advice, 
o  learns  us  in   every  condition  therewith 
to  be  contented. 

The  REMARK. 

'Tis  seldom  that  people  of  a  fickle  temper  escape  in 
convenience,  which  they  are  constantly  exposed  to  by 
iTic  designs  of  crafty  and'  treacherous  men,  who  nndet 
pretenxe  of  friendship,  prove  much  more  hurtful  than 
an  avowed  enemy.  David  complains,  how  he  that  wa* 


F  ABLES   01  2ES  O  P.       91 

$  familiar  friend  had  lifted  up  his  heel  against  him,  and 
this  was  a  screr  wrui  d  to  him,  than  if  an  enemy  had 
done  it  ;  tor  says  he,  1  ^-Ul-  ha\e  bcrr.e  -with  it  the 
bettrr.  The  pie:  sines  and  \amtu  s  ot  this  life  are  siicli 
treachercfis  friends,  who  promise  great  things  at  a  dis 
tance  ;  and  th<  ugh  the  y  seem  to  be  sweet  in  the  mouchj 
yet  they  prove  bitter  in  the  belly* 

FABLE    ixvi. 

The  WOKF  and  SOW, 

'/\  WOI-t  came  to  a  Sow  jufl  ready  to 
A  ^  lie  down,  aud  prcnjife'd  to  take  care  ot 
her  litter:  f!he  Sow.  tcld  him,  Ihe  did  not 
want  his  help,  and  the  greater  diftance  he 
itpt,  be  would  oblige  the  more  ;  for  .the 
Wolf's  office,  lays  fiie,  confifts  Lot  in  being 
nigh,  but  in  being  far  awzy. 

the  MORAL 

ft* any  offer  their  fervre,  net  cut  of  love 
to  ihe-per(ori  they  i^ouldfecm  to-feive,  iut 
out  of  ieltloye. 

ihe  REMAK^ 

Many  dangerous  snares  are  laid  for  pe< -pfc  'Cinder  ti>c 
ai.d  gocd  cfiicc  ;  Lu;  ill  n.ui  sutuct 


92      FABLES  OF    JESOK 

to  be  believed  or  trusted,  for  some  enemies-  appear  in 
the  shape  of  friends  ;  but  men  should  stand  upon  their 
guard,  as  the  Sow  here  did,  who  had  more -wit  than  to 
be  enticed  by  the  Wolf.  Many  love  their  neighbours^ 
not  for  theloveof  God,  but  lor  the  love  of  then  selves  ; 
and  this  love  lasts  no  longer  than  they  can  expect  some, 
benefit  by  them.  There  'is  nothing  mere  hurtful  ty 
mankind  than  this  poisonous  principle  of  self-love  ;—— 
it  destroys  all  government :  For  while  men  do  all  for 
private  ends,  what  must  become  of  the  pubhc  I  and  it 
overturns  all  religion,  which  strictly  enjoins,  "Whatso 
ever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  unto  you,  even  do  so 
unto  them,  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets."  So 
that  nothing  more  effectually  ruins  men,  both  in  this 
life  and  that  which  is  to  come,  than  self-love,  which,  at 
last,  proves  rather  to  be  self-hatred.  It  is  the  spring 
of  sin  and  wickedness  ;  and  we  may  veiy  well  apply  un 
to  it,  what  the  apostle  says  of  the  love  of  money  j-r 
"  that  it  is  the  «  root  of  all  evil." 

FAB  L  E     LXTII. 

The  MOUNTAIN  in  LABOUR. 

THERE  was  oncje  a  report  that  a  Moun 
tain  was  in  travail ;  all  the  people  ex- 
pefted  fome  dreadful  monfter  to  be  brought 
forth,  at  lad  there  comes  only  a  fc'ioufe  ,— 
fo  that  the  people  were  like  to  die  with 
laughing. 


FABLES    OF    JESOP.      93 

7  he  MORAL. 

There's  often  much  to  do  about  nothing. 
REMARK. 


/This  FrtUe  strikes  at  great  braggers,  who  make  a 
inighty  noise  and  boasting  about  their  performances  ; 
and  yet  when  thry  are  brought  upon  trial,  behold  they 
can  do  nothing  ^t  all;  and  it  is  no  wonder  if  such  vapoqf- 
ing  Allows  become  the  scoff  and  game  of  all  that  know 
them:  And  thougbthey  may  sometimes  impose  upon 
the  mob,  yet  they  make  themselves  ridiculous  to  *  all 
men  of  sense.  And  yet  how  extravagant  and  vain  arc 
the  attempts  of  some  men?  What  castles  do  they  build 
jn  tlhe  air  ?  and  what  fine  thi.igs  do  they  promise  to 
tbemsriyrs  ?  though  all  end  like  the  Fable,  a  Mountain 
b  ii.^s  forth  a  Mouse.  Such  vain  and  empty  fellows 
may  j'istry  be  compared  to  a  cracker,  which  mounts  into 
the  'air  with  a  mighty  noise  and  force,  to  the  great 
yonder  of  the  beholders,  but  of  a  sudden  it  bursts,  and 
"vanishes  i  to  sLiioke,  a-id  turns  the  contempt  of  all 
present.  '  i'is  commonly  observed,  that  such  as  aje 
gieat  braggers,  are  for  the  most  part,  slow  performers, 
and  it  is  a  great  -si^n  of  folly  and  weakness,  to  keep  pr?o- 
p.e,  m  expectation  of  .great  matters,  when  we  are  con 
scious  to  ouj  stives  that  we  arc  no  ways  in  2,  capacity  to 
put  them  in  ^r^tict. 


94      FABLES  OF    IE  SO  P. 
FABLE     LXVI1I. 

The  HARES    and  PROGS. 

THE  Hares  were  flrangely  frighted  at  * 
whirlwind  that  had  happened  in  a 
wood,  which  made  a  terrible  noife  among 
the  trees;  But  after  their  fear  was  over, 
fomeofthem  began  to  be  mightily  diffatibfied 
with  their  mifer able  condition.  Why,  fays 
one  of  them,  here  we  live  at  the  mercy  of 
Men,  Dogs,  Eagles,  and  I  know  not  how 
many  beafts  that  prey  upon  us  at  pkafure  ; 
we  are  perpetually  in  danger  ;  fo  that  it  is 
better  to  die  once  for  all,  than  live  at  this 
rate  in  a  continue!  fear,  which  is  worfe  thau 
death  iifelf.  All  were  well  pleafed  with  the 
fancy,  and  a  refolution  was  taken  one  and 
all  to  drown  themfelves ;  fo  away  they  went 
to  the  next  lake.  A  great  many  Frogs,  who 
were  lying  upon  the  banks,  hearing  the  hur 
ry  of  the  Hares,  leaped  for  fear  into  the 
lake  :  Nay  then,  my  mafter,  fays  one  of  the 
Hares,  pray  let  us  have  a  little  patience,  our 
condition  is  not,  I  find,  altogether  fo  bad  as, 
we  fancied  ;  for  there  are  thofe  you  fee 
that  arc  as  much  afraid  of  us,  as  we  are  of 
others. 


F  A  8  L  E  S  OF    IE  SO?.       95 

r&?  MORAL 

The  intent  of  this  Fable  is  to  fhew,  that 
if  people  did  well  confider  their  own  cafe, - 
there  is  not  fuch  caufe  of  repining  as  they 
imagine* 

The  REMARK/ 

It  ts  the  trnhappiness  of  the  greatest  part  of  man- 
Jdndl  that  .they  always  lepk-to  persons  above  themselves, 
which  makes  them  so  ; uneasy,  while  they  ;see  some 
others -in  a  rnore  nourishing  condition  than  tliems'elres: 
Whe/eas,  '(lid  '  tiiey  bnt  consider  hoxv  it  is  witii 
marr,'  of  tfcHrneighDours,  they  Would  fiiid  it  their  duty 
to  te  tliarkful  that  it  \i  no  worse  with  thep,  J  wish  I 
had  this,  and  I  wish  I  hacl  that,  is  the  common  saying 
of  people  ;  but  did  we  compare  ourselves  with 'others, 
and  see  how  many  are  in  a  miscraUIe  and  wretched  con- 
dition  ;  some  tormented  with  the  most  torturing  pains 
^nd  diseases,  and  others  b'it}d  and  lam*,  starving  for 
want  of  bread;  they  would  be  very  than  k'ftiT  to  God 
for  what  •  thfcy  are,  and  I  what  they  have,  seeing  others 
envy  their  happiness  as  much  as  they  do  that  of 
others. 


96      FABLESbFJESOP. 
FABLE  LXIX. 

The  DAW  and  borrowed    FEATHERS. 

A  DAW  that  would  fain  appear  finer  thnii 
her  companions,  decked  herfelf  withPeo- 
eock's  Feathers,  and  all  the  other  gay  Fea 
thers  that  fhe  cauld  find  ;  fo  (he  would  not 
ftay  any  longer  with  birds  of  her  kindj  but 
mult  needs  go  among  the  Peacocks,  and 
other  fine  birds  :  But  as  foon  as  they  djfco- 
vered  the  cheat,  they  ftll  a  pulling  of  her : 
And  when  every  bird  had  taken  his  own 
Feathers  away,  the  filly  Daw  was  ftnpt  to 
the  fkln,  and  nothing  left  to  cover  her  na- 
kednefs, 

*fhe  MORAL. 

When    pride   and  beggary  meet,  people 
are  fore  to  make  themieives  ridiculous. 

The  REMARK. 

Pride  and  ambition  has  been  the  ruin  of  many.— 
LticitVr  was  turned  out  of  heaven  for  his  arrogance  : — 
And  we  have  all  the  sad  experience,  how  fatal  this 
•was  to  our  first  parents,  who  were  not  satisfied  with  the 
wherein  God  had  placed  them,  but  they  must  at« 


FAB  LES    OF     ;GSO  Pi        97 

tempt  such  things  which  were  their  ruin  :  And  when 
their  eyes  were  opened,  and  they  found  themselves  as 
naked  as  the  Daw  stript  of  her  feathers,  then  they 
came  to  understand  and  repent  their  folly.  And  how 
many  of  their  posterity  follow  their  example  ?  They 
still  believe  Satan's  amusements,  until  they  are  summon 
ed  by  death.  Then.it  is  that  their  eyes  are  opened, 
and  find  that  he  that  was  a  liar  from  the  beginning,  and 
will  be  so  to  the  end,  has  cheated  them. 

This  Fable  shews  Us,  moreover,  the  great  mistake  of 
such  as  place  their  happiness  upon  any  tjiing  that  may 
be  taken  away.  What  are  all  the  riches  and  honours 
of  this  world  but  borrowed  feathers.  When  death 
comes,  we  must  be  stripped  of  them,  and  left  naked,  ac 
cording  to  the  saying  of  Job,  u  Naked  came  I  out  of 
4C  my  mother's  womb,  and  naked  shall  I  return.*'  This 
Fable  strikes  at  such  as  make  a  mig  hty  show,  and  have 
a  gay  outside  at  the  expence  of  others,  until  people  be 
gin  to  discover  how  matters  are  with  them,  and  every 
one  takes  away  his  owii  :  and  so  they  are  left.as  naked 
as  the  Daw. 

FABLE    LXX. 


The  FROG  and  OX. 

AHfJGE  Ox  was  grazing  in  a  meadowy 
and  a  Frog  feeing  him,  was  defirous  to 
match  him  in  bulk,  and  fo  fell  a  ftretching 
herfelf     She  called  out  to  her  little  ones  to 
take  notice  whether  (he  was  not  as  big- as 
N 


9*        FA  BLES    OF    ^E  S  O  P. 

the  Ox.  Why,  mother,  fays  they,  you  a^e 
nothing  to  the  >*.  he  then  ft  ained  a- 
gain,  but  it  would  not  do:  But  {he went 
ftill  on  and  on,  till  at  laft  fhe  burft* 

The  MORTAL. 

Pride  and  envy  will  at  laft  bring  a  man  to 
dellrucUon. 

The  REMARK. 

This  "Fable  is  a  severe  lash  upon  those  who  fancy 
themselves  to  be  greater  than  really  they  are,  and  so  set 
up  to  live  above  what  they  can  afford  :  They  strive  to 
imitate  persons  of  the  highest  station  and  quality,  \vho  fc 
have  twenty  times  their  estates,  till  at  Vast  they  bring1-, 
themselves  to  poverty.  What  a  great  unhappiness  is  it 
to  such  whose  affections  and  thoughts  run  after  nothing 
but  high  places  ?  Into  how  many  inconveniences  do  they 
bring  themselves,  till  at  last  they  burst  ?  How  contrary 
is  the  humour  (which  prevails  too  much  in  our  days)  to 
that  poverty  and  humbleness  of  spirit  which  our  Sa 
viour  lays  down  as  the  foundation  of  the  Christian  reli 
gion  ?  For  he  begins  "the  sermon  on  the  mount  with 
these  words  :  «  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spmi,  tor  tbein 
is  the  kingdom  ."  of  heave',."  And  truly  without  such 
a  disposition  as  this,  there  can  be  no  real  happiness  ;— 
for  whatever  condition  the  humble  person  is  in,  he  i 
Content,  and  prefers  sobriety  atid  rctiredness  to  the  i 
ry  6t  courts  and  piihces. 


FABLES  OF   2ES  O  P.       99 
FABLE   LXXL 

A  STAG  DRINKING. 

A  S  a  Stag  was  di  inking  in  a  clear  fcun« 
**  tain,  he  faw  his  image  in  the  water  ;.— • 
fo  fell  to  admire  his  fine  large  and  branch 
ing  horns  bir  quite  defpifed  his -legs;  think 
ing  they  were  bat  imall  pitiful  ffipnks  — 
Jufi  as  he  was  upon  this  thought,  he  disco 
vered  a  pack  of  clogs  coming  iullory  towards 
him  :  riwray  he  fcours  acn  i^  the  fieids,  ?nd 
gets  into  a  wood  ;  but  prefli-ng  through  a 
thicket,  the  bufhes  held  him  by  the  horns 
till  the  hounds  came -up  to  him,  and  pulled 
hietidown;  and  as  he  was  dying  he  faid, 
what  an  unhappy  fool  was  I,  to  take  my 
friends  for  my  enemies,  and  enemies  for  my 
friends?  I  trufted  to  my  head  that  has  be 
trayed  me,  and  I  found  fault  with  the  If  gs 
that  would  have  othcrwife  carried  me 
off. 

?&  MORAL 

Such  as  do  not  know  themfelves  right, 
cannot  chufe  but  pafs  a  wrong  judgment 
upon  matters  that  nearly  ccncern  them* 


xoo      FABLES    or    JES  OP. 

7 be  REMARK 

Many  are  ready  to  admire  that  which  they  ought  to 
forsake  and  abhor  j  while,  on  the  other  hand,  they  des 
pise  and  trample  upon  that  which  is  mostly  to  be  valued 
and  admired.  The  pomps  and  vanities  of  this  wicked 
world  is,  what  all  Christians  oughtj  and  are  bound  by 
their  baptism  to  deny  ;  and  yet  nothing  appears  so  fine 
and  desirable  in  the  eyes  of  the  most  part  of  mankind  as 
these.  Is  there  any  thing  so  beautiful  and  lovely  as 
virtue  ?  and  yet  how  much  is  it  neglected  and  despised  I 
-The  reason  why  men  are  guilty  of  such  woful  mistakes, 
as  to  take  the  worse  for  the  better,  and  the  better  for 
the  worse,  is  because  they  do  not  know  themselves,  nor 
the  end  for  which  they  came  into  the  world,  which 
makes  them  glory  in  that  which  is  rather  their  shame, 
and  which  if  not  prevented,  will  prove  to  be  their  de* 
struftion.  But  when  death  comes,  the v  will  find  the 
difference,  and  say,  as  the  Stag  in  the 'Fable,  What 
fools  they  were  to  take  their  friends  for  their  enemies, 
and  en emiesf6r  their  friends  ? 

FABLE    LXXIL 

The  'HUSBANDMAN  and  the  WOOD, 

COUNTRY-fellow  that  had  got  the 
iron  work  of  an  ax,  went  to  the  i  exc 
foreft  to  beg  only  fo  nuich  wood  as  WOK  Id 
make  an  handle  to  it,  The  matter  feemecj 
fo  fmall,  that  it  was  eafily  granted :  But 


FABLES    or    M  S  O  P.       101 

\ 

when  the  trees  came  to  find  that  the 
whole  wood  was  to  be  cut  down  by  the  help 
of  this  handle  ;  there's  no  remedy,  fa\fc  they 
but  patience,  when  people  aie  undone  by 
theii  folly. 

7 be  MORAL. 

Nothing  goes  nearer  a  man  in  hi>  misfor 
tune,  dun  to  be  undone  by  his  own  fault. 

7' be  REMAP  K. 

How  rnaryare  there  who  are  enemies*'  against  them 
selves  ;  and  wi,;ti  a  tunib'e  is  it  f>r  a  man  to  fall  by 
that  weap  m  which  he  has  put  in  ib..-  Irind  of  his  foe  ? 
Daily  experience  discovers  how  mary  are  the  cause  of 
their  own  desmiclion.  And  though  sometimes"  a  man 
rruiy  lose  his  hfc;  or  estate  Without  b^n^  the  c*ns  of  it, 
yet  it  is  impossible  that  a  man  can  lose  his  s<,ui  without 
bcii.g  altog-ther  the  cause  and  occasion  uf  it:  Which 
Will  make  all  such  inexcus  -b;e  in  the  day  of  judgment. 
T  his  Fr.ble  st  IK^S  also'  at  such  who  ?re  the  ruin  of 
their  benefactors:  The  wooden  handle  cut  down  the 
wood  whe'ei'.i  it  grew.  How  rntny  employ  that  life 
and  strength  wiiith  God  gives  them  to  fi.;ht  against 
himself  ?  So  that  in  all  a^es  people  may  b  justly  char 
ged  with  what  God  upbraids  the  Jews:  "  1  have  n-uiri. 
^shed  and  brought  up  jeople,  but  tkey  have  rebelled  a- 
gair.st  me. 


F  A  B  L  E  S  OF    JE  S  O  P. 
FABLE    LXXIiL 

A  HORSE  and  LION. 

A  LION"  longed,  for  a  piece  of  good 
T^-  Horfe^flefh,  bu,t  not  knowing  how  to 
come  by  it,  by  reafon  of  his  age  and  want  of 
ftrength,  he  made  ufe  of  this  contrivance : 
He  comes  to  a  Horfe,  and  gave  cut  himfelf 
to  be  a  Farrier,  thinking  to  amufe  the  horfe 
with  a  long  itory  of  his  art  and  experience. 
1  he  Horfe  finding  his  knavery,  defigned  to 
be  as  cunning  as  he  ;  therefore  pretending 
to  have  latejly  pricked  his  foot,  he  intreats 
the  Phyfician  that  he  would  be  pieafed  to 
look  upon  it,  to'  pull  out  tbe  thorn  and  give 
him  e<tfe,  O,  fays  the  Lion,  do  but  hold  up 
your  leg  a  little,  and  I  will  cure  you  imme 
diately.  But  as  he  was  looking  to  it,  the 
Horfe  gave  him  a  terrible  blow  upon  the, 
forehead  with  fcis  heal,  whkh  laid  him  flat, 
and  fo  got  off.  When  the  Lion  hgd  reco-' 
vered  a  little,  well,  fays  he,  I  am  rightly 
ferved  for  my  folly,  and  I  fee  the  Horfe  has. 
repaid  knavery  with  knavery. 


FABLES   OF    ^ESOP.        103 

The  Mo  SAL 

It  often  happens,  that  people  are  paid 
home  in  their  own  coin,  and  the  deceiver 
himfelf  is  deceived. 

The  REMARK. 

Though  it  be  commendable  in  all  men  to  supply  their 
•want  of  strength  by  industry  and  invention,  yet  they 
ought  to  keep  their  skill  within  the  bounds  of  justice 
and  honesty  ;  and  when  they  go  beyond  itf  they  may  ex 
pect  sometime  or  other  to  be  served  as  the  Lion  was 
by  the  Horse  ;  for  what  measure  we  give  to  others,  we 
shall  be  served  in  the  same  measure  again,  sooner  or  lat 
ter.  It  would  be  good  for  many  that  they  were  so  sharp 
sighted  as  the  Horse  here  was  and  could  distinguish  be 
tween  a  good  Physician  and  a  dissembling  quack,  ii;d 
so  reward  them  accordingly  ;  then  'we  should'not  see  so 
many  wheedled  out  of  their  money,  as  \frell  as  their  lives. 

FABLE   LXXiV. 

The  BOAR  and  HORSE. 


TH^RE  fell  a  difpute  once  betwixt  a 
Boar  and  a  Horfe,  and  when  thev  had 
fotight  a  pretty  while,  the  Boar  got  the  bet 
ter  of  him,  and  Uat  the  other  out  ot  the 
field.  1  he  Horfe  grieved  at  this  affront, 
advifed  with  a  man  what  courfe  he  Ihould 


io4      F    ABLES   or   JESOP. 

take  to  be  revenged  on  the  Boar  The  man 
told  him,  'hat  if  he  al'owed  himfelf  to  be 
bri  led  and  fadd'ed,  and  take  one  on  his 
back  with  a  Unce  in  hi>v  hand,  he  ihoul  i  be 
fufficiently  revenged  on  him.  The  Horfe  a- 
grted  to  ir  ;  bur  chough  he  got  his  enemy 
killed  yet  he  loft  his  liberty  by  it,  and  made 
himfeif  a  flave  all  the  days  of  his  life. 

The  MORAL. 

He  is  a  madman,  who,  to  avoid  a  prefent 
and  lefs  evil,  runs  blindfold  into  a  greater. 

?he  REMARK. 

This  Fable  discovers  to  us  the  folly  of  such  as  make 
.themselves  slaves  to  their. revenge  ;  for  no  man  should 
be  so  angry  with  another  as  to 'hurt  himself;  How  ma 
ny  do  in  haste,  what  they  repent  at  leisure  ;  and  for  the 
gratifying  of  a  fro  ward  humour,  make  themselves  slaves 
all  their  days,  as  the  Horse  in  the  Fable.?  who  had  bet- 
tir  passed  by  the  affront ;  but  his  stomach  was  toogreatf' 
*  d.  did,  as  many  others  do,  ruin  himself,  that  he  might 
but  ruin  his  enemy.  We  may  easily  observe,  by  this, 
that  there  is  nothing  better  tor  a  man's  body,  as  well 
ss  the  soul,  than  the  C  hristian  d-jdrine  of  the  forgiving 
cnemieb  ;  thoug,1;  the  world  look  upon  such  as  pass  by 
•fronts  to  be  nothing  else  but  cowards;  and  that  man 
that  mils  himself :  upon  the  sword  of  smother,  whom  Lc 


F  A  B  L  E  S   OF    M  S  O  P, 

*ould  kill,  is  looked  upon  to  be  a  brave  gallant  man, 
though  he  be  such  another  fool  as  the  Horse  in  the 
Fable,  -who  paid  dear  for  his  revenge. 

FABLE    LXXV. 

Two  YOUNG.MEN  and  a  COOK. 

TWO  young  fellows  flipt  into  a  Cook's 
fhop.  and  while  the  Cook  was  bufy  at 
his  work,  one  of  them  ttole  a  piece  of  flefli, 
and  conveyed  it  to  the  other;  the  Cook 
miffed  it  immediately,  and  challenged  him 
with  the  theft.  He  that  took  it,  fwofe  he 
had  none  of  it,  and  he  that  had  it,  fwore  as 
confidefably  that  he  did  not  take  if.  Well 
my  mailers,  fays  the  t..o,:k,  diefe  tricks  may 
be  put  upon  men,  but  there  is.it  eye  above 
that  fees  through  them.  * 

?be     MORAL 

When  we  do  any  thing  amifs,  and  think 
ourfelves  fecure  by  hiding  it  torn  men,  God 
who  is  the  fearcher  of  hearts,  fees  it. 


O 


i  o6      FABLES    OF    JESQ  P. 
The  REMARK* 

There  is  no  playing  fast  rand  loose  vvlth  God  ;  for 
double-dealing  is  what  he  abhors.  And 'suppose  this 
way  may  succeed  for  some  time  among  men,  who  can 
not  discover  the  secret  designs  that  lurk  in  a  man's 
heart;  yet  at  last  such  persons  never  fail  of  betraying 
themselves  ;  and  then  how  odious  do  they  appear  when 
their  knavery  is  found  out  !  No  t; ust  or  credit  .is^giyeu 
them,  though  they  back  their  promises  with  repeated 
oaths  ;  so  that  the  common  proverb  lioldi  'true,  Ho- 
Besty  is  tttobest  policy. 

FABLE     LXX7I. 

A  FOX  and  a  sick  LION. 


ALIGN  falling  Tick,  all  the  beafts  came 
to  vifit  him,  except 'the  Fox  ;  where 
upon  the  Lion  fent  to  tell  him  that  he  long 
ed  to  fee  him.  and'that  his  prefence  would 
be  rery  acceptable  to  him.  He  moreover 
defired  the  meff^nger  to  affure  the  Fox,  that 
for  federal  reafons7  he  had  no.  occafion  to  be 
afraid •ofhiiri;:becaafe  tbe  '.ion  was  one 
that  loved  the  L?ox  ve^y  well,  and  therefore 
defired  t6  fpeik  wi'h  him  ,  befides  that,  he 
lay  fo  fick  that  he  could  not  (\\r  to  do  the 
Fox  any  harm,  though  he  had  never  fa 
great  a  mind  to  it*  Ihe  *  ox  returned  a 


F  A  B  L  E  S   OF  JE  S  6  $.       1 07 

very  obliging  anfwer,  defiling'  the  meflenger 
to  acquaint  the  1  icn,  that  he  was  very  defi- 
,rous  -of  his  recovery,  and  that  he  would  pray 
to  the  Gods  for  it ;  but  at  the  fame  time 
defired  to  be  exculed  for  net  coming  to  fee 
him,  as  other  beafts  had  done  :  For,  truly 
fays  Reynard,  the  traces  of  their  fret  freigh- 
ten  me>  all  cf  them  going  towards  his  Majef- 
ty's  palace,,  but  none  coming  back  again. 

the  MORAL 

Words  sre  not  to  be  trufled,  though  ns* 
ver  fo  fair  ;  we  muft  examine  mens  .aftions^ 
as  well  as  their  words  ard  pronufes,  an<J 
judge  of  the  one  by  the  other, -it  we  would 
efcape  their  milchievous  invent^uns. 

The  REMARK. 

The  proverb  holds  true,  Larks  are  not  to  be-catthedl 
•with  chaiF:  The  Lion,  by  his  pietencicd  sickness  and 
H'eaknes3>  thought  th^t  the  Pox,  in  point  of  civility,, 
ought  to  pay  him  a  visit  ;  but  sending  such  a  kind 
invitation,  so  full  of  compliirents,  was  still  -a  greater 
obligation  on  the  Fox  to  pay  his  respects  to  him-:;  but 
Reynsrd  v/as  too  sharp  sighted  not  10  see  through  his 
design  ;  though  truly  it  is  a  hard  matter  sometimes  to' 
distinguish  between  a  friendly  invitation  and  An  hypo- 
cr.tical  snarej  so  that  a  man  is  often  at  a  loss,  not  kiiow« 


ic8      FABLES   OF    M  S  O  P. 

ing  but  be  may  disoblige  a  friend,  whilst  he  thinks  only 
to  save  himself  from  the  hands  of  an  enemy  Howe 
ver,  while  the  world  is  full  of  tricks,  'tis  always  the  best 
and  wisest  method  to  take  particular  care  wheie  pny 
signs  of  suspicion  appear. 

FABLE     LXXVIL 

A  STAG  and  a  VINE. 

A  STAG  that  was  hard  pufhed  by  the 
huntfmen,  ran  into  a  vineyard,  and 
took  fhelter  under  the  root  of  a  Vine.  When 
the  huntfmen  were  gone,  and  he  thought 
±he  danger  ,  was  over,  he  fell  prefentiy  to 
fcrowfing  upon  the  leaves.  rlhe  ruftiing  of 
the  boughs  made  fome  of  the  huntfmen  ap 
prehend  that  he  might'  be  there:  So  upon 
a,  ftri£  fearcli,  he  was  discovered,  and  fhot  j 
and  as  he  was  dying,  he  faid,  how  juftly  am 
1  puniflied  for  offering  to  deftroy  my  pro- 


MORAL. 

*Tis  but  juft  that  fuch  who  wrong  their 
benefa&or,  fliould  be  punifhed  with  divine 
vengeance. 


FABLES    OF    JE  S  G  F«       109 

i 
?he  REMARK. 

There  is  nothing  more  jbominable  in  the  sight  of 
God  and  man  than  ingratitude  ;  and  such  as  repay  good 
with  evil,  in  seeking  the  mm  of  their  protectors,  seldom 
escape  the  judgements  of  God.  This  Fable  exposes 
the  baseness  of  ihis  vice.,  as  many  other  Fables  in  JEsop, 
do  :  but  all  that  God  commands,  or  n.en  preact;,  or 
beasts  practise,  against  this  sin,  will  not  put  a  stop  to 
the  wicked  and  ungrateful  doinps  of  malicious  spirits  ; 
ar.d  a  man  that  can  be  ungrateful,  'is  capable  of  any 
manner  of  wickedness. 

FABLE    LXXVIIL 

The  GEESE  and  CRANES. 

fame  Gecfe  and  Cranes  were  feeding 
in  a  countryman's  field  of  corn,"he  heard 
the  noile,  and  came  prelently  out  upon  them, 
The  Cranes  feeing  the  countryman,  they  fled 
fir  it  ;  but  the  Geefe  tarrying  behind,  be- 
caufe  of  the  hcavinefs  of  their  bodies,  were 
catched. 

The  MORAL. 

This   Fable  figniues,  that,  in  taking  of  a 
town,  the  poor  eafily  efcape>  while  the  rich, 


no      FABLES  OF    &  S  O  P. 

tarrying  behind  tb   fave  their  riches,  ccm» 
monly  lose  both  lives  andeftates. 

The  REMARK. 

It  is  strange  how  riches  alter  the  tcrrfpers  of  men,; — * 
Jhofv  timorous  it  makes  some  who  have  been  brave,  and 
fcow  secure  it  makes  others,  who  trusting  to  their  mo- 
jiey,  and  thinking  to  escape  by  its  means,  make  them 
only  the  greater  prey  to  their  enemies*  This  Fable  is  a 
severe  rebuke'  to  such  as  take  no  care  to  provide  for 
time  of  danger,  but  go  on  in  their  old  courses,  until 
they  be  suddenly  destroyed  ;  and  -though  they  have  ma 
ny  examples  to  warn  them,  yet 'their  vices  and  corrupt 
affections  so  hang  about  them,  and  clog  them,  that  they 
never  will  cast  them  off,  until  they  are  brought  to  de 
struction.  Had  the  Geese  fyeen  so  wise  as  to  get  off 
•with  the  Cranes,  they  might  have  saved  themselves  ; — 
but  the  sweetness  of  the  corn  whereupon  they  were 
feeding,  and  the  weight  of  tlreir  dull  "bodies,  quite  stop t 
them,  until  they  were  catched. 

FABLE  LXXIX. 

A  TRUMPETER  taken  PRISONER. 

WHEN  an   arrriy  had  been  routed,  a, 
Trumpeter  was  taken  prifoner  :— 
And  as  thefoldiers  were  going  to  kill  him, 
Gentlemen,  fays   he?  why  fhould  you  kiil  a 
man  that  has  killed  no  body  ?  You  fliall  die 


FABLES   OF    /£  S  OR        m 

the  rather  for  that,  %s  one  of  the  com- 
pany  ;  when,  like  a  rafcal  as  you  are,  yoa 
dou't  fight  yourfeif,  yet  fet  other  people  to* 
gether  by  the  ears. 

The  MORAL 

He -that  provokes  others  to  mifchlef,  is  as 
much ,  if  not  more  guilty,  than  the  doers 
themfelves. 

The  RBMA&K. 

This-  fable  reproves- such  as  take  delight  in  setting 
people  together  by  the  ears,- Which  is  quite  opposite  to 

the    Christian    duty  oi  being  peaceable    and    meek. 

-«'  Blessed  are  the  peace-makers,  (says  ".our  Saviour)5 
for  they  shall  be  called  the  children  of  God."  For  God 
is  a  G,od  of  Peace:  and  £/we.  Malice,  hatred,  and  en 
vy,  which  makes  such  difference  among  people,  proceed 
from  Satan  the  Pnnce  of, darkness;  but  meeknes?3  jrood- 
nessj  and  brotherly  kindness,  is  what  Qirist,  the  Prince 
of  Peace,  stri&lyVoimr/anrls.  We  may  eatiiy  jud.^e  by 
peoples  practice,  whose  children  they  are  ;  for  whosoe 
ver  takes  pleasure  jn  divisions,  strife,  and  discord,  must 
be  of  their  father  the  devil,  whose  \vorks  they  do,  lc^ 
{their  pretencqs  be.  never  «o  fair. 


rra      F   ABLES   OF   JESQP. 
FABLE    LXXX. 

The  HUSBANDMAN  and  STORK. 

A  POOR  innocent  Stork  had  the  ill  hap 
to  be  taken  in  a  net  that  was  laid  for 
Geefe  and  Cranes.  The  Stork's  plea  for 
herfelf  was  fimpiicity,  pood-nature,  and  the 
love  of  mankind  ;  together  with  the  fervice 
foe  did  in  picking  up  venomous  creatures. 
This  is  all  «rues  fays  the  Duflbandman  ;  — 
but  they  that  keep  ill  company  (if  they  be 
catched  with  ill  company)  imift  expeft  to 
faffer  with  ill  company. 

7 he  MORAL. 

A  man  is  efteemed  according  to  the  com 
pany  he  keeps,  for  it  is  a  common  faying, 
which  will  be  applied  in  this  cafe,  that 
birds  of  a  feather  flock  together* 

Ibs  REMARK. 

There  are  many  inconveniences  that  attend  the  keep- 
Ing  of  bad  company.  A  lewd  and  wicked  example  will 
be  ready  to  have  influence  upon  the  peisotvthat  firquents 
vicious  company  ;  and  it  he  should  es4  pe  from  the 
plague,  which  is  very  rare,  yet  bis  credit,  and  reputation 


F<  A  B  L  E  S   o*    JE  S  O  P.      113 

suffers;  so  that  when  the  good  and  bad  are  taken  to- 
gethr  r,  they  mint  suffer  together  ;  for  it  is  a  common 
proverb,  Shew  me  the  company,  and  I'll  shew  you  the 
man.  Tis  the  bad  fortune  of  many  a  good  man  to  fall1 
into  base  company,  and  to  be  undone  by  it,  and  yet  bo 
no  ways  guilty  of  the  iniquity  of  his  companions  :  But 
was  a  man  never  so  innocent,  it  is  a  shame  and  dis- 
honour  to  be  taken  with  rogues ;  for  very  few  escape 
fb'ii  being  poisoned  with  their  vices.  And  it  holds 
very  true  what  the  apostle  says,  "  That  evil  communi* 
cation  corrupts  good  manners." 

FABLE    LXXXL 

The  WASPS  and  PARTRIDGES. 

A   FLIGHT  of  Wafps,  atid  a  coveyof  Pat- 
C*  tridges,  that  were  hard  put   to  it  for J 
want  of  water,  went  to  a  farmer,  an-d  begged 
afup^of  him  to  quench  their  third,      The 
Partridges  off  red  to  dig  his  vineyard  for  it; 
and  the  WTafps  promifed  to  fecure  him  frorti 
thieves.     Pray  hold  /our  peace,  fays  the  far-  j 
nier,   I  have  Oxen  and  Dogs  to  do  me  thefe 
offices  already,  and  am  relblved  to  provide 
for  them  in  the  firft  place. 


ii"4      FABLES   OF   &  S  O  P. 

MORAL 


Charity  begins  at  home  :  And  it  is  very 
trus  which  the  apoftle  fays,  "  He  that  d  >e* 
not  provide  "  for  his  own  family,  is  worfe 
than  an  infidel." 

The  REMARK, 

People  ought  to  know  well  how  to  bestow  their  charU 
If.  For  a  man  to  rob  liis  family  of  what  is  necessary, 
tinder  pretence  of  charity,  is  like  .the  sacrifice  of  the 
wicked,  which  is  an  abomination  to  the  L^rd  :  But  peo 
ple  ought  not,  under  the  cloak  of  providing  for  them- 
selves  and'  families,  when  they  have  affluence  and  plenty, 
refuse  to  distribute  to  the  necessities  of  the  poor  ;  for 
this  is  wh«  will  not  excuse  them  ;  neither  is  it  possible 
that  such  can  love  God  or  his  neighbour;  for,  as  the 
apostle  says,  "  He  that  seeth  his  brother  want,  and  shut- 
teth  up  his  bowels  ot  compassion  against  him,  how  can 
the  love  of  God  be  in  him  2"  A  man's  prudence  will 
always  dired  him  how  to  behave  himself  in  such  cases  ; 
only  let  a  man  be  sincere  in  what  he  does,  for  God 
loveth  a  chearful  giver. 

FABLE   LXXXIL 

A  DAW  and  PIGEONS. 

AD  1W  took  particular  notice  of  Pigeon  $ 
in  a  dove-houfe,  that  they  were  well  fed 


F  A  B  L  E  S   cj  2E  S  O  P.       1  15 

and  provided  for  ;  fo  he  went  and  painted 
,  himfclf  of  a  dove  colour,  and  ftd  among  the 
pigeons,  fco  long  as  he  kept  filent.  this 
pafied  very  well  ;  but  it  happened  that  for* 
getting  himfelf  he  fell  a  chatterirg  ;  upon 
which  difcovery  he  was  turned  out  of  the 
dove  hocfe,  and  when  he  came  to  his  old 
companions,  they  would  not  receive  him. 
So,  by  this  means,  he  loft  both  parties, 


He  that  halts  between  two  opinions,  lofes 
himfelf  with  both  parties  ;  for  when  he  i$ 
diicovered,  he  is  found  true  to  neither. 

the  REMARK 

Some,  by  grasping  at  too  much,  lose  all  ;  and  b|f 
aiming  at  what  they  have  not,  and  cannot  well  obtaii,| 
lose  what  they  had  before.  And  men  dc  but  make 
iherrselvee  ridiculous,  in  imitating  that  which  they  can* 
not  do.  For  though  the  Daw  painted  hti.sc  If  like  ft 
Pigeon,  yet  ic  did  not'  make  her  ore  :  And  though  4 
man  put  himself  into  another  man's  shape,  yet  i  e  i* 
comironly  discovered.  The  hypocrite  is  never  so  tar 
from  being  a  gocd  Christian,  as  \\iien  he  IcoU  like  it  f 
and  double-dealers  are  always  disco\ered  by  srine  accU 
dent  or  other  ;  and  then  both  p'-rtits  beat  them  away* 
So  that  eveiy  man  ought  to  be  true  a^d  hoiitst 
Jte  undertakes.* 


3i6      CABLES   OF  JESOP. 
FABLE    LXXXIII. 

The  FOX  and  SNAKE. 

A  FOX  and  a  Snake  chancing  to  meet,  the 
Snake  began  to  entertain  the  Fox  with 
a  long  ftory  concerning  her  bcau(y,  and  the 
pkaiant  and:charming  colcurs  of  her  fpotted 
Jkin.  1  he  Fox,  weary  with  the  difccurfe, 
interrupted  her,  and  laid,  that  the  beauty  x>f 
the  mind  was  of  much  greater  value  and 
excellency  than  that  of  a  painted  outfide. 

the  MORAL 

A  good  underftanding  is  a  bleffing  far  ex 
ceeding  all  outward  beauty, 

The  REMARK. 

Many  men  are  ready  to  prefer  the  outward  blessings, 
iuch  as  beauty,  nature,  and  riches,  to  wisdom,  tem 
perance,  and  piety,  and  other  inward  blcrsings,  lor  iv, ore 
valuable,  for  they  only  represent  man,  and  distinguish 
him  frptn  the  beasts.  We  have  lew  oiuuard  advan 
tages  beyond  the  other  creatures,  but  -we  are  inierioi  to 
them  in  many,  such  as  in  strength,  swiftness,  bfciiii;;g, 
seeing,  and  all  the  other  senses  :  So  that  \veie  it  not  kr 
iirward  advantages,  man -would  be  rather  a  prey  to,  than 
» lord  over  the  creatures.  How  unaccountable  is  tjic 


FABLES    OF    MSCT.      117 

most  part  of  mankind,  that  run  so  much  upon  their  sen 
sual  appetites,  and  regka  the  uobler.part  c-f  irau,  the 
soul  !  so  that  they  are  \vorse  than  the  beasts  that 
perish. 

FABLE    LXXX1V. 

The  CHOUGH  and  SWALLOW. 

THfe  Chough  and  Swallow  fell  into  a 
warm  difpute  about  ihtir  beauty  ;  and 
as  the  K wallow  infifted  mightily  en  hers, 
and  claimed  the  advantage,  fray,  fay&  the 
ChoUgh,  you  forget  that  your  beaury  de 
cays  uith  the  fpring,  whereas  mice  lafts  all 
the  year  round. 

The  MORAL, 

Of  two  things  equally  good,  that  is  the 
beft  which  lafts  loigt ft. 


The  greatest  lie -ssings  we  can  enjcy  in  this  worWart 

ai.ci   Icrg  i;fc?  vsl^h  jit  st,,i  n-.r,re  valuable  the 

or-cr  we  e,  j  y  then,  ;  br.t  yet  the  njor^tU  man  must 

)  iiil'  s,c:L  S(r,,ei    LT  later,    ardti^e  Jon.-est  "ife 

has  an  ci;d.     cx>    :.Lat    tl.est,  ugeti  er  wal)  ricY-es,  l,o- 

flcurs, .  and  pleasurts,    4jr«   like  tlw   bwaiiow's  beaut 


n8      FABLES  CT"  JESOP. 

\vhich  lasts  bin  for  a  time.  But  piety  and  goodnci 
are  \vhat  affords  a  mai  net  only  satisfaction  in  this  lite, 
hut  also  joys  diat  shall  ?idu re  for  ever  in  that  life 
\vhich  is  to  come,.  Therefore  they  are  fools  who  value 
themselves  upon  die  short- lived  pleasures  of  this  life,  as 
the  Swallow  did  upon  her  spring  beauty  and  negleft  to 
Secure  to  themselves  those  lasting  pleasures  which  are 
at  Gcd's  right  hand  for  evermore. 

FABLE  LXXXV. 

A  FATHER  and  his  bONS. 


A 


N  honeft  man,  who  had  the  misfortune 
-  L  to  be  the  Father  of  a  contentious  brood 
of  Children,  endeavoured  all  he  could  to 
make  them  to  be  more  friendly  towards  one 
another  ;  and  cne  day,  having  called  them 
before  him5  he  brought  a  bundle  of  flicks, 
and  defired  his  children  to  take  it,  and  try, 
cne  after  another,  with  all  their  fence,  if  they 
could  break  it  :  They  tried  but  could  not. 
Well,  fays  he:  unbind  it  now,  and  take  e- 
very  one  a  flick  of  it  a  part,  and  fee  what  ye 
can  do  that  way:  They  did  as  he  defired, 
and  with  great  eafe  they  fnapt  every  one  of 
the  Aicks  to  pieces.  Jhe  Father  then  told 
.*hem,  Children,  yc-ur  condition  is  exsftly 


¥  A  BLES   OF    JE  S  OP.        119 

that  of  the  bundle  of  flick*  ;  for  if  you  keep 
together,  you  are  fafe  j  but  if  you  divide  you 
are  undone* 

7/je  MORAL 

Small  things  increafe  by  peace  and  unity, 
whereas  great  things  decay  and  dwindle  »• 
way  to  nothing  by  difcord. 

The  REMARK. 

"Division  is  what  has  been  the  ruin  of  great  and  p^-* 
*rful  kingdoms,  as  well  as  of  private  families.  Was  it 
not  division  that  exposed  Christians  to  the  fury  of  the 
Turks,  Infidels,  Barbarians?  and  every  one.knows  hovr 
fatal  division  is  to  private  families,  where  all  things  go 
to  ruin,  when  one  strives  against  another.  And  it  is  a 
strange  thin*  that  men  cannot  d:>  this  with  all  their 
knowledge  and  reason,  what  the  brute  beasts  do  ;  for 
•we  find,  that  even  the  fiercest  of  them,  such  as  Tygers> 
Wolves,  and  Bears,  agree  among  themselves.  Nay» 
the  very  Devils,  who  though  they  be  Tike  so  many  fire-, 
brands,  setting  mankind  together  by  the  ears,  yet  they 
stern  to  agree  among  themselves.  For  our  Saviour  says? 
<4  If  Satan  be  divided  against  himself,  how  can  his  king* 
dom  stand  ?"  There  is  not  one  precept  so  often  enjoin 
ed  by  our  Saviour,  as  unity  and  brotherly  love  ;  for  he 
makes  it  the  distinguishing  mark  of  his  servants  ; — 
44  By  this  siiall  all  men  know  (says  he)  that  ye  are  my 
-«c  disciples,  if  yei  Jove  one  another.1* 


F  ABLE  5  OF   JE3OP. 
FABLE    LXXXVL 

The  EOX  that  lost  his  TAIL* 

A  FOX  having  hi*  tail  cut  off  to  get 
out  of  a  trap,  when  for  fhame  he 
thought  it  death  to  live,  devif.  d  to  perfuade 
other  iioxes  to  cut  off  theirs,  under  pretence 
of  common  benefit,  but  really  to  leflen  his 
own  difg-ace.  The  Foxes  therefore  having 
convened,  he  toH  them,  that  their  tails  were 
not  only  a  dif^race  to  them,  but  an  ufelefe 
burden.  One  of  them  who  heard  him, 
fmartly  anfwered,  O  brother  !  where  Is  your 
justice,  to  advife  us  ail  to  do  a  thing  which 
will  be  to  no  body's  advantage  but  your 
own  ? 

The  MORAL. 

This  Fable  belongs  to  them,  who  under  a 
fli'ew  of  chanty  and  kindnefs  tc?  others,  aim 
at  their*  own  profit  and  advantage. 


' 


The  most  part  of  mankind  are  so  ^icVed,  that  tlier 
never  love  to  be  miserable  with->uc  compiny.  ,Wlie:i' 
they  make  any  false  step,  oy  fi.^  themselves  guilty  of 


FABLES   OF    JESOP.      121 

iny  oversight  or  mistake,  they  never  think  how  to  come 
off  handsomely,  or  how  to  corred  their  error.  Noythis 
is  the  least  of  their  thoughts  :  Then  their  only  study 
is  how  to  deceive  others  :  And  to  succeed  the  better  in 
their  design,  they  never  fail  to  use  fair  words,  to  tender 
seemingly  wholesome  and  charitable  counsel  without 
being  asked,  and  never  31  ve  over  till  they  have  persuad 
ed  others  to  run  into  the  same  snare  wherein  they  them-, 
selves  were  caught.  In  this  they  imitate  the  devil,  wha 
finding  himself  miserable  by  his  own  doings,  was  never 
at  rest,  until  he  persuaded  our  first  parents  to  ruin 
themselves.  What  smooth  language  did  he  use,  how 
specious  the  arguments  to  entice  two  innocent  creatures 
tobepartakersofhisguilt?lf  the  sad  ttuth  were  well  im 
printed  in  our  memory,  it  would  prove  to  us  as  a  bea 
con  to  sgamen,  and  shew  us  how  to  escape  these  dangers 
and  hidden  rocks  of  flattery  and  pretended  charity, 
Whereupon  so  many  suffer  shipwreck. 

FABLE8  LXXXVIL 

The  FOX  and  HUNTSMEN. 
FOX  that  had  been  hard  run,  begged 


tage,  and  thither  he  went.  He  was  no  foon- 
cr  got  in,  but  the  Huntfinen  were  prefently 
at  his  heels,  and  alkedthe  cottager,  if  he  did 
fee  a  Fox  that  way?  No,  truly,  faid  he,  I 


F  ABLES   OF    JESOP. 

fawnone  ,  but  pointed,  at   the  fame  time 
with  his  fingei,  to  the  place  where  he  lay.— 
The  Huntfmen,  it  feems*  did  not  underftand 
his  meaning ;  but  the  Fox  fpled  htm,  howei. 
ver,  through  a  peeping  hole  he  had  f  »und  tq| 
iee  what  news.     So  the  Foxhunters  werxt| 
away ;  and  then  out  deals  the  Fox  withou^ 
one  word  ipeaking.     Why,  how  now,  lays '••;] 
the  man,  have  you  not  the  iranners  to  take 
leave  of  your  hod  before  you  go  f  Yes,  yes* 
lays  the  Fox,  if  you  had  been  as  hoaeii  oij 
your  fingers   as  you  were  of  yov?r  tongue,  I 
fliould  not  have  gone  without  bidding  yovf 
farewell 

The     MORAL 

Man  may  difcover  things  by  figns  as  well 
as  words,  and  his  confcience  is  as  anfwerable 
for  his  fingers  as  his  tongue. 

The  REMARK. 

There  is  no  trusting  those  that  say  one  thing  andcfo 
another,  especially  if  "they  follow  fair  words  with  foul 
deeds.  It  is  abase  and  treacherous  thing  for  one  man 
to  betray  one,  who  commits  himself  to  his  mercy,  espe 
cially  when  he  lies  under  all  the  ties  of  honour,  trust, 
and  faith,  to  preserve  him.  There  be.  many  instances 


F  ABLES  OF  .2ES  O  P.       123 

of  the  Woodman's  double  dealings  in  these  bad  times  ; 
for  interest  is  the  only  rule  whereby  men  now  walk, 
without  regard  to  God  or  their  neighbour  ;  and  where 
it  intervenes,  it  discharges  all  our  obligations.  And 
let  people  pretend  to  what  religion  they  will,  gold  and 
money  is  now  the  ,God  they  adore  ;  which  makes  the 
father  betray  the  son,  the  mother  the  daughter,  and  the 
servant  the  naster:  So  that  what  our  Saviour  fc  retold  maj 
be  applied  to  these  times',.  That  a  man's  enemies  should 
be  those  of  his  own  house  ;  as  that  also  df  St.  Paul's,— 
"  In  the  last  days  perilous  times  shall  come  ;  lor  mep 
shall  be  lovers  of  their  own  selves,  covetous,  unthankful, 
truce  breakers,  without  natural  affection,  traitors,  hav 
ing  a  ibrm  of  godllfcess,  but  denying  the  power  there 
of." 

FABLE     LXXXVltl. 

The  FOX  and  BRAMBLE. 

A  FOX  that  was  clofely  purfued  took  to 
a  hedge  ;  the  bufhes  gave  way,  and  in 
catching  'hold  of  a  Bramble  to  bt£ak  his^all, 
the  prickles  ran  ifito  his  feet :  Upcn  this  he 
laid  himfelf  down  and  fell  a  licking  of  bis 
paws,  with  bitter  complaints  agamft  the 
Bramble,  Good  words,  Reynard,  lays  the 
Bramble  5  one  would  have  tl  ought  you 
would  have  known  better  things,  than  to 
"  a  kindnefs  from  a  common  enemy, 


124      FABLES  OF   M  S  O  P. 

and  to  lay  hold  on  that  for  relief,  which 
catches  at  every  thing  elfe  for  mifchief. 

?he  MORAL. 

There  are  fome  malicious  natures,  that 
place  all  their  delight  in  doing  ill  terns  ;— . 
and  that  man  is  hard  put  to  it.  who  is  firft 
brought  into  a  diftrefs,  and  then  to  come  to 
luch  people  for  relief. 

4 

The  REMARK. 

Tis  a  great  folly  to  fly  for  proteaion  to  people  who 
naturally    delight    in   mischief.     The  Fox  blaires  the 
Bramble     here,  but   he    may  thank    himself;  for  how 
could  be  expea  any  good  or   kindness   where  there  i* 
Jwne  ?  It  is  a  fatal  thing  for  men,  when  God  is  offend- 
ed  with  them,  to  go  to  the  devil  for  relief.    This  is  what 
istroyed  Saul,  andpioves  daily  the  "destruction  of  ma- 
uy.     Men  commonly,  when    pursued  by    an    evil  con-  j 
science,  and  pressed  hard  by  the  guilt  of  their  sins,  run 
to   a  tavern,  and   drown  their  senses  in  a  debauch,  or 
5    go   a  whoring  or  gaming,  with  a  design  to  stifle 
these  thoughts  ;  though  all   these  shifts   afford  no  bet- 
ter  comfort  than  the  Bramble  did  the   Fox,   rather  ad- 
to,  than  diminishing  these  stings,    * 


FABLES    OF    M  SO  P.      125 
FABLE    LXXXIX, 

A  MAN  and  a  WOODEN  GOD. 

A  MAN  that  had  a  great  veneration  for 
an  image  he  had  in  his  houfe5  found  that 
the  more  he  prayed  to  it,  the  more  he  went 
down  the  hill  fliil.  This  put  him  into  fuch 
a  rage,  to  pray  fo  long  and  fo  earntftly,  and 
yet  to  fo  little  purpole  that  at  laft  he  c,afhed 
the  head  of  it  to  pieces  againft  the  wall,  and 
out  comes  a  confkkrab  e  quantity  of  gold* 
Why,  this  it  iss  fays  he  to  eu'o-e  a  perverfe 
and  feitfelefs  deity  that  w Hi  GO  more  for 
blows  than  for  worlhip. 

*     the  MORAL 

If  we  ever  expeft  good  from  a  bad  perfon, 
it  is  only  when  he  is  forced  to  do  iu 

1he  REMARK. 

This  wooden  Image  is  like  many  in  the  world,  wh* 
notwithstanding  all  the  application  that  people  make  to 
them,  and  their  dependence  on  them,  yet  never  do  any- 
good,  either  tor  prayers  or  entrtaties,  until  tiny  arc 
forced  to  it  by  necessity.  This  Image  resembles  alsb 
those  base  and  stupidly  covetous  wretches,  w  t;;  whom 
neither  prayers,  tears,  or  the  distressed  condition  ottfrdr 


F  AB  LE8  OF   JE  S  O  P. 

suffering  brethren,  nay  nor  the  necessities  of  their  ow» 
nearest  relations,  can  pievail  to  part  with  their  money 
till  they  die  ;  so  must  netds  part  "with  it  when  they  can 
no  longer  keep  it;  and  which  often  times  tails  into  the 
hands  of  those  who  longed  most  fci  their  death,  and 
shewed  them  least  respeft  when  alive. 


FABLE 

MERCURY  and  a  TRAVELLER. 

ONlE  that  was  entering  upon  a  .long 
journey  >  made  his  prayers  to  Mercury, 
witha  promife  that  he  ihould  go  half  with 
him  in  whatever  he  found.  It  was  his  good 
fortune  to  find  a  bag  of  dares  and  almonds  j 
he  went  to  work  upon  them  immediately  ; 
and  when  he  .had  eaten  the  kerrfals,  and  all 
that  was  good  of  them  himfeif.  he  laid  the 
ftones  and  (hells  upon  the  altar,  and  defired 
Mercury  to  take  notice  that  he  had  perform* 
ed  his  vows  j  for  here,  fays  he,  are  the  out- 
fides  of  the  one,  and  the  infides  of  the 
other. 

T&e  MORAL. 

5Tis  a  vain  thing  to  fuppofe  that  we  can 
put  a  trick  upon  God,  and  think,  that  after 


F  ABLE  3   OF    JE BO  P.        127 

folemn  vows   and  promofes,  we  may  come 
offwith  fuch  flend^r  performances. 

The  REMARK. 

Men  may  talk  as  if  they  believed  in  God,  but  tbey 
live  as  if  there  were  none  ;  for  their  very  prayers  and 
vows  are  mockeries  •,  and  what  they  say,  they  never 
intend  to  make  good.  If  men  did  narrowly  search  their 
own  hearts,  they  would  find,  that  more  or  less,  they  are 
iugglers  in  secret  betwixt  hearen  ai.d  their  own  souls  ; 
many  a  thousand  wicked  and  false  things  can  they 
charge  themseivrs  with,  which  they  hide  as  the  greatest 
secret  in  the  woiid  from  their  neighbours  ;  but  did  they 
rightly  consider,  that  the  almighty  God  sees  them,  from 
Vhom  nothing  can  be  hid,  and  who  will  judge  the  secrets 
of  all  mer-s  hearts  in  the  day  of  judgment  ;  I  say,  did 
they  but  seriously  consider  this,  they  would  do  nothing 
in  secret,  but  what  they  might  expose  to  the  eye  of  the 
ole  world*  , 

FABLE    XCI. 

A  SICK  MAN  making   large  PROMISES. 

POOR  fick  man,  given  over  by  the 
Fhyficians,  betook  himfelf  to  prayer*  & 
vowed  to  facrifice  a  thoufan  1  Bullocks  to 
either  ^po!lo  or  ^Iculapius.  which  of  the 
two  would  deliver  him  from  his  difeafes  •  — 
Ah !  my  dear,  fays  his  wife,  who  was  ftaud- 


1*8      F   AB£ES  OF  .ESOP. 

ing  by,  have  a  cirewhat'you  promife  ;  for 

where  would   you  have   thefe  oxen  fltould 

you  recover  ?  Wife,  fays  the  fick  man,  thou 

talkeft  like  a  fool  ;   have  the  Gods  nothing 

elfe  to  do,  doft  thou    think,   than  to   leave 

their   heavenly  bufmefs,  and  eome  to  this 

lower  world  to  fue  me  in  an  aftion  of  debt? 

They  heard  his  prayer,  however,  and  reftor- 

ed  him  for  that  time   to   make   trial  of  his 

honefty  and  good  faith.     He  was  no  fooner 

up,  but  for  want  of  living  oxen,  he   offered 

upon  an  altar  fo  many  pieces  ofpafte  made 

up  in  the  fhape  of  oxen.     For  this  mockery 

divine  vengeance  purfued  him  ;  &he  had  an 

apparition  can^e  to  him  in  a  dream  that  bid 

him  go  and  fearch  in  fuch  a  place  near  the 

coaft,   and   he  fhould  find  a   confiderable 

treafure.     Away   he   went,  and   as  he  was 

looking  for  money,  he  fell  into  the  hands  of 

pirates.     He  begged  hard  for  his  liberty,  & 

offered  a  thoufand  talents  in  gold  for  his  ran- 

fom ;  but  the    plates  would  not  truft  him, 

and  fo  carried  him  away,  and  fold  him  af« 

'let wards  as  a  flave  for  as  many  groats. 


FABLES   OF    .ESOP* 
Ihe  MORAL. 

Many,  in  their  adverfity,  promife  to  God 
more  than  they  intend  to  make  good  ijn 
their  profperity. 

7ht  REMARK 

'Tis  the  practice  of  the  world,  for  people  in  distres^ 
to  serve  God  and  mankind  alike.  For  when  they  fie 
under  any  heavy  affliction,  and  find  they  have  need  of 
another's  help,  how  do  they  vow  and  promise,  and  yet 
are  conscious  to  themselves,  that  they  neither  intend  or 
are  able  to  make  any  one  article  good  ?  What  a  rash 
&  knavish  promise  was  it  in  this  poot  fellow,  who  could 
pot  but  know  that  he  was  in  no  case  able  to  perform  his 
Vow  ?  So  his  design  could  be  nothing  else  but  to  put 
ja  triclc  upon  God,  if  he  could  :  The  foolish  attempt* 
jpf  men,  who  while  they  ihink  to  cheat  God,  only  cheat 
themselves.  What  the  apostle  says  is  very  applicable 
jin  this  case,  "  Be  not  deceived,  for  God  will  not  be  mock- 
:ed  ;  ior  "  as  *ou  sowliere,  so  shall  ye  reap  hereafter.* 
And  so  we  sec  vengeance  overtook  this  wretch  at  last* 

FABLE  XCII. 

An  APE  and  a  FOX. 

UPON  the  death  of  the  Lion,  the  beads 
met  incouncil  to  choofe  a  King  :  Se 
eral  put  in  for  it  j  but  one  wanted  brain$f 


vera  put    n 


FABLES    OP    2ESOP. 

another   ftrensjth,  and   a  third   ftature,  or 
fomething  elfe :    At   lafl  the  Buffoon  Aps, 
with  his  grimaces,  carried  it  from  the  whole, 
by  I   do  not  know  how  many  voices      The 
Foxbeing  one  of  the  pretenders,  was  not  well 
pleafed  to  fee  the  choice  go  againfl  him,  and 
prefently  whifpered  the  new  King  in  the  ear, 
that   he  couid  do  him  a  piece  of  fecret  fer- 
vice :  Sir,   fays  he,  I  have  difcovered  fome  •• 
hidden  treafare  yonder  ;  but  feeing   it   is  a. 
right  belongs    to  your  Majeity,   I  have  no-t 
thing  to  do  with  it.     Ho  he  carried  the  «*pej 
to   take  poffeffion  ;  and    what  (hou'd   th|| 
treafure  be,- but  a  bait  in  a  ditch  ?  rlhe   «.pe 
lays  his  hand  upon  it,  ard  the  trap  fprings^ 
and  catches  him  by  the  finger.      6h!  thouj 
perfidious  wretch,  cries  the  ^pe  !  ah  !  thott) 
filly  Prince,  rat  her,  replies  the  Fox  ;  them  a 
governor  of  others,  with  a  vengeance,  that 
hath    not  wit  enough  to  look  to  your  owa 
fingers ! 

^ he  MORAL 

*Tis  a  great  unhappinefs  to  people,  to  hare 
fach  a  governor  as  can  neither  take  care  of 


F  ABLE  S   OF   ^ES  O  P. 

them,  nor  of  himfelf,  by  diftinguifhing  be 
tween  bad  and  good  counfellors. 

The  REMARK. 

'Tis  the  greatest  blessing  of  a  kingdom  to  have  * 
Vise  and  prudent  Prince  ;  neither  can  there  be  a  grea 
ter  sign  of  the  divine  favour  towards  it ;  "  Happy  are 
the  people  (says  the  Queen  of  Shtbato  Solomon)  that 
hear  thy  wisdom  ;  because  the  Lord  loved  Israel, 
-therefore  made  he  thee  King  to  do  judgment  and  jus 
tice."  And  indeed,  no  kingdom  was  so  flourishing  a$ 
that  cf  Israel,  under  the  reign  of  the  wisest  of  Kings. 
But  how  miserable  and  distracted  was' it,  when  such  a 
weak  Prince  as  his  son  Rehoboam  reigned,  who  forsook 
the  counsel  of  the  old  men  who  stocd  before  his  father 
Solomon,  and  followed  the  counsel  of, the  young  men. 
And  such  will  be  the  fate  of  all  nations  that  have  weak. 
Kings,  and  cunning  and  designing  counsellors, 

FABLE   XCIlC 

A  LION  in  LOVE. 

A  LION  was  in  love  with  a  country-, 
lafs.  and  defired  her  father's  content 
to  have  her  in  marriage.  The  anfwer  he 
gave  was  churlifh  enough:  He  would  ne 
ver  agree  to  it,  he  faid,  upon  any  terms,  to 
marry  his  daughter  to  a  bead,  ^  I  he  i  ion 
gave  him  a  very  four  look,  which  brought 


132      FABLES   OF    ^E  S  O  P. 

the  fellow,  upon  fccond  thought,  to  /hike 
up  a  bargain  with  him,  upon  thcfe  concli- 
lions,  that  his  teeth  fliould  be  drawn,  and  his 
nails  pared  ;  thefe  were  things,  he  faid,  that 
the  fcolifh  girl  was  terribly  afraid  of.  The 
Lion  fends  immediately  for  a  furgeon  to  do 
the  work  j  and  as  foon  as  the  operation  was 
orcr,  he  goes  and  challenges  her  father  up. 
on  his  promife.  The  countryman  feeing  the 
Lion  difarmed,  plucked  up  a  good  heart,  & 
with  a  fwinging  cudgel  fo  ordered  the  mat- 
ter,  that  he  broke  off  the  match. 

7 be  MORAL 

What  will  not  love  make  a  body  do  !— 
It  confults  neither  life,  fortune,  nor  reputa- 
don  ;  but  fecrifices  all  that  can  be  dear  to 
men  of  fenfe  and  honour,  to  an  extravagant 
paffion. 

?he  REMARK^ 

What  strange  alteration  does  this  passion  make  on 
the  minds  of  men  ?  Theie  is  nothing  so  fierce  or  savage, 
fcut  love  \vill  soften  it  :  Nothing  so  sharp  sighted  in 
other  matters,  but  it  makes  it  stupid  and  blind.  °  V,  hat 
a  vast  number  of  examples  do  all  ages  furnish  us  with  of 
•Jbiskind  I  The  strongtst  men  both  of  sacred  and  pro- 


FABLES    OF    MS  OP.       133 


fane  history,  •vrere  slaves  to  it  :  All  the  wisdom  of  Solo 
mon  could  not  resist  it,  who,  to  his  sad  experience,  said 
*'  That  love  \vas  strong  as  death  ;  that  many  water* 
could  npt  quench  love,  neither  could  the  floods  drow» 
it."  And  how  often  does  he  caution  men  to  take  care 
of  this,  and  advises  them  to  think  seriously  upon  the 
laws  of  God,  as  the  only  antidote  against  it  ;  for  the 
commandment,  says  he,  i€  Is  a  lamp,  and  the  law  is  a 
light,  to  keep  thee  from  the  evil  woman,  from  toe 
flattery  of  a  strange  woman  ;  lor  by  means  of  a  whor- 
Ssh  woman  a  man  is  brought  to  a  piece  of  breaal  "— 
We  have  sad  objects  every  day  in  our  view,  who  are 
'convincing  proofs  of  the  dismal  consequences  of  this 
blind  and  bewitching  passion. 

FABLE    XCIV. 

Two  COCKS  Fighting. 

nnWO  Cock*  fought  a  duel  for  the  mat. 
J[  tery  of  a  dunghill.  He  that  wa$ 
•worded,  Hunk  away  into  a  corner,  and  hid 
himfelf  :  The  other  took  his  flight  up  to  the 
top  of  a  houfe,  and  there,  with  crowing  and 
clapping  his  wings,  makes  a  proclamation 
of  his  vi&ory/  ^n  E$gle  made  a  flop  at 
him  in  the  middle  of  his  gallantry,  and  car 
rying  the  conqueror  away  with  him,  his  ri 
val  took  poffeffion  of  the  dunghill  they  con 
tended  for,  and  had  all  hit  miftrdfes 
Jetf  again. 


134      FABLES  OF   .ESO  P. 


MORAL. 

This  Fable  (hews,  that  he  who  is  foer 
proud  in  profperity,  often  falls  headlong  in 
to  adverlity* 

The  REMARK* 

Solomon  observes  very  truly,  that  pride  goeth  before 
destruction.  And  how  many  instances  have  we  of  such 
\vhose  pride  and  ambition  were  the  fore-runners  of  their 
falU  What  a  short  time  was  there  betwixt  Raman  be 
ing  the  greatest  favorite  at  court,  and  his  being  hanged 
on  the  gallows  he  had  prepared  for  another  ?  And  it  is 
no  wonder  that  proud  men  should  meet  with  such  falls, 
•when  they  have  such  a  strong  and  mighty  enemy  to 
grapple  with  :  For  the  apostle  assures  usa  "  That  God 
rcsisteth  the  proud."  It  fares  often  with  the  greatest 
monarchs,  as  with  these  Cocks  ;  he  that  is  vidorious 
to  day,  may  he  made  a  slave  to-morrow*  "With  \vhat 
proud  and  blasphemous  words  did  the  king  of  byria  in 
sult  over  the  Israelites  ?  but  we  sec  to  what  a  low  p^ss 
he  was  brought  by  the  destroying  hand  of  God.  Bel- 
shpzzar  in  the  midst  of  his  glory  and  pomp,  had  the 
mortification  to  see,  by  a  hand-  writing  on  the  wall, 
himself  und  his  kingdom  condemned  into  the  hands  pt" 
the  Persians. 

FABLE  xcv. 

A  League  betwixt  the  WOLVES  and  SHEEP, 


A 


WAR   once  broke  out  between  the 
Wolves  and  Sheep,  wherein  the  S 


FABLES   OF    /SSOP. 

had  for  the  mofl  part    the    better    being, 
affifted  by  the  Dogs,  with  whom  they  had 
made  an  alliance.      !  he  Wolves  taking  this 
into  cenfideratiori,  fent  embafladors  to  the 
Sheep  with  propofaU  of  peace.     The  Sheep 
having  heard  the  propofals,  by  which  they 
were  to  have  the  Wolves  whelps  delivered 
up  to  them  for  th?ir  fecurity,  as  the  Wolves 
were  to  have  the  Dogs  for  theirs  delivered 
up  to  them;  a  peace  was  immediately  patch* 
^d  up,     Some  time  after  as  the  Iheep  were 
feeding,  as  they  thought,  very  fecurely,  be- 
caufe    of  the  late  agreement,  the  Wolves 
whelps  fell  a  howling;  whereupon  the  Wolves, 
came  prefently  ruihing  in,  complaining  loud 
that  the  (heep  had    broke  the  peace,   and 
were  ufing  their  hoftages  with  cruelty.  The 
{heep  denied  the  charge,  but   to  little  or  no 
purpofe ;  for  the   Wolves  fell  upon  them, 
and  eafily  deftrcyed  them,  knowing  that  they 
had  no  more  Dogs  to  ft  and  by  them. 

7  be    MORAL 

fTis  the  greatefl  folly  and  madnefs  imagi 
nable,  to  think  true  and  fincere  friendfliip 
can  be  fettltd  where  nature  herfelf  has  placed 


135      F   ABLES   o*   JESOP. 

an  unalterable  averfion  and  difagreemem.— 
A  bloody  and  expenfive  war  does  not  half 
fo  much  harm  to  a  nation,  as  a  foolifh  and 
ill-grounded  peace. 

The  REMARK. 

Though  we  are  advised  in  scripture  to  be  harmless  as 
doves,  yet  we  arc  not  less  warned  to  be  prudent  as 
serpents.  No  nation  ought  tamely  to  listen  to  the 
v/heedling  proposals  of  an  enemy,  who  prefers  an  a- 
greemeiu  of  a  suspension  and  cessation  of  arms,  only  to 
gain  time  or  advantage,  either  to  save  himself  when  he 
finds  he  is  too  hard  pin  to  it  by  his  opposers  ;  or  to  work 
their  ruin,  by  enticing  them  to  part  with  their  surest 
attics  and  defender-*,  who  by  their  assistance  have  obli 
ged  him  to  change  his  method,  and  lay  aside  his  open 
force,  and  have  recourse  to  a  seeming  agreement,  which 
never  lasts  longer  than  he  can  break  it  with  convenience. 
Not  only  nations,  but  private  persons  also,  ought  ak 
ways  to  be  upon  their  guard,  not  to  expose  themselves- 
to  the  cunning  and  cruelty  of  self-designing  neighbours,  ' 
ivho  unfair  mearrs  when  they  find  the  foul  will  not  do, 
to  ruin  those  they  find  in  the  way  to  hinder  their  mis 
chievous  and  unwarrantable  designs.  And  as  we  are 
obliged  to  be  upon  our  guard  against  our  temporal 
enemies,  we  are  much  more  against  our  spiritual  ones, 
who  are  worse  than  the  Wolves  here  mentioned  in  the 
Fable  ;  for  when  they  cannot,  by  open  force  get  any. ad- 
vantage  over  BS,  .they  presently  have  recourse  to 
Bmoothei  terms,  and  even  put  on  Sheep's  clothing,  that 
they  may  the  more~coiwmently  devour  the  flock. 


FABLES 

IN 

P  R  O  S  E    AND    V  E  R  S  E. 


FABLE    XCVL 

The  MONKEY   the  CAT,  and  the.  CHESNUTS, 

A  MONKEY  obferving  his  Mafter  to 
lay  fome  Chefnuts  iri  the  fire  to  roaft, 
he  was  very  defirous  to  tafte  of  them,  but 
was  likewife  much  afraid  of  burning  his  fin 
gers,  fo  that  though  he  often  attempted  to 
take  them  out,  yet  he  was  as  often  difcoura- 
ged  by  the  heat  of  the  >fire ;  whereupon  he 
was  a  long  time  contriving  with  himfelf, 
how  to  attain  his  end  ;  at  length  he  per 
ceived  a  young  Kitling  lie  fleeping  by  the 
fire,  whereupon  he  prefently  refolves  that 
Pufs  lhall  be  his  inftrument  to  gain  his  pur« 
8 


138  FABLES 

pofe  :  and  catching  her  up  in  his  arms  not> 
withftanding  her  (quailing,  and  all  the  re- 
fiftance  fhe  could  make,  yet  Pug  being  (Iron- 
ger,  takes  her  forefoot  in  hi*  hmd  and 
thrufting  it  into  the  fire,  gets  out  the  Ohefr 
nuts,  which  he  with  much  greedinefi  de 
vours*  The  poor  cat  had  her  foot  miferably 
burnt,  and  a(ks  him  weeping,  why  he  would 
ufe  her  fo  crueliy  without  any  provocation 
given  him:  the  iy'onkey  knewhe  had  wrong* 
ed  her^  and  could  fay  little  in  his  own  vindi 
cation,  yet  willing  to  make  a  lame  defence 
rather  than  none  impudently  replies  ;  I 
muft  confefs  the  jtft  was  fomewhai  fevere, 
but  yet  it  is"  not  fo  much  as  you  juftly  de- 
ferve  to  fuffer.  confidering  tae  wicked,  floth- 
ful,  and  flcepy  life  that  you  lead. 

J'be  MORAL. 

Some  men  care  not  what  abufes  they  put 
upon  others,  nor  what  troubles  and  danger 
they  bring  them  into,  fo  they  can  but  com*- 
pals  their  own  ends  and  purpofes  ;  and  how 
many  are  made  ufe  of  to  bring  about  the 
defigns  and  contrivances  of  ill:  men,  who 
when  their  turn  is  fervedj  are  fo  far  froj» 


IN  PROSE  AVD  VERSE. 

gratifying  them,  that  they  feoff  and  laugh  at 
th^ir  eafinefs  and  folly. 

FABLE     XCVI. 
The  MONKEY,  the  CAT,  £  the  CHESNUTS. 

A  MONKEY  frw  bis  Matter  rosfl, 
Soms  Che  (huts  by  the  fire, 
A;,d  Pug  hri^g  very  liquorife 
To  u8«*  then)   did  dttire  ; 

But  was  afraid  to  burn  Ivrnftlf, 

Neither  could  he  cot'itrive 
Which  way  fie  without  truuble  might 

Tu  his  delign  arrive- 

Bwt  feeing  Pufs  lye  by  the  fire, 

He  was  relel^'d  that    fhe 
'I  he  p<3:u\  «nd  dana^r  fhould  endure 

His  inftrumeiM  iu  be. 


catching  her  into  hi$ 
He  with  herfcot  doth  get 
The  rosiird  Chefi  uts,  v\  hich  he 
jVicil  gretuily  elid    cat, 

The  Cat's  foot  is  feverdy  burnt, 

Who  weeping  with  the  pain, 
Aga'flt  the  iVioi  k^y's  mK.liy 


140  FABLES 

Quoth  fbf ,  why  haft  thou  us'd  me  thus, 
What  mifchief  have  1  wrought 

To  thee  or  thine,  that  thou  h  Jt  now 
This  mifcry  on  me  brought. 

Pug  knew  that  he  had  wronged  her, 

And  little  had  to  plead 
In  vindication  of  himfelf 

For  this  ir  jurious  deed  : 

You  Ike  a  villain  he  replies, 
You  need  not  cry  and  roar, 

Since  for  your  flothful  vrcked  life, 
You  ought  to  fufFc'r  more. 

For  you  and  all  your  kindred  to 
IHoft  idly  fpend  your  time  ; 

fYea,  but  to  wet  your  feet  forfooth, 
You  think  a  grievous  crime. 

For  thefe  and  other  faults,  whereof 

I  an  account  could  give, 
Jf  you  but  your  juft  merits  had 

You  don't  deierve  to  live. 

The  MORAL. 

Ill  men  do  very  feldom  mind 
What  hszards  cthersrun, 
On  their  behalf,  fo  that  they  cnn 
:   But  have  their  bcfinefs  done* 


IN  PROSE  AKD  VERSE.       14* 
FABLE    -XCV-IL 

The  Young  MOUSE,  the  COCK,  and  the  CAT, 

A  YOUNG  Moufeand  an  only  fon,  had 
been  fo  carefully  bred  up  by  his  mother, 
that  flie  would  never  permit  him  to  go  be 
yond  the  mouth  of  h-  r  hole.  But  growing 
tip,  the  young  creature  had  a  defire  to  look 
abroad  into  the  world,  which  his  mother 
was  very  fearful  he  fhould  do  ;  alas  child, 
faid  fhe,  there  is  fo  much  treachery  abroad, 
that  if  you  once  go  out  of  my  %ht,  I  never 
exped  to  fee  you  again ,  .  ear  mother, 
qucth  he,  fear  nothing,  I  will  only  go  and 
look  through  the  crevice  of  the  door,  and 
come  back  inltantly ;  his  importunity  pre 
vailed,  and  fb  he  goes  intp  the  next  room, 
and  peeps  into  the  yard,  where  he  faw  a 
Cat  walk  very  demurely  by  the  door,  who 
laid  herfeU  down  in  the  warm  fun  ;  the 
young  ^oul'e  much  wondred  at  her  gravily, 
and  was  extremely  taken  with  her  fliape  and 
fober  carriage;  foon  after  a  Cock  comes  by 
very  brifkly,  who  clapping  his  wings  fet  up 
a  ioud  crow,  whereat  our  ycung  traveller 
was  fo  affrighted,  that  all  pale  and  trem- 


FABLES 

bling,  he  runs  back  to  his  irother,  who  glad 
cf  his  return,  hugged  him  tenderly,  demandT 
ing  the  caufeof  his  great  furprize  and  fright; 
ah  mother  quoth  he,  I  faw  a  dreadful  crea 
ture  with  a  red  piece  of  fleih  on  his  head  like 
a  crown,  and  the  like  under  his  chin,   and 
horns    on   his   heels,   who  with  things  like 
arms,  beating  his  fides,  made  fuch  a  horri 
ble  noife,  as  almcft  (cared   me  out  of  my 
wits,  juft  when  I  was  admiring  a  very  fine 
creature,  of  fo  modcft  a  look,  and  fo  cleanly 
and  neat,  lying  in  the  fun,  that  I  hardly 
could  forbear  running  to  kifs  and  hug  her  ; 
the  old    Mouft  perceiving  his  miftake,  my 
dear,  fays  (he,  that  proud  ftrutting  thing  will 
never   hurt    thee,    but  be  fure  to  avoid  that 
other  modeft  one  .who  will  certainly  be  the 
deaifa  of  thee   with   the  firft  opportunity. 

^ he  MORAL 

Vvre  muft  not  always  judge  of  men  by 
their  looks  and  carriage,  neither  aie  feme 
roaring  fparks  fo  much  to  be  dreaded  ar 
fome  demure  and  fober  knaves. 


JN  PROSE  AND  VERSE.       143 
FABLE    XCVIL 

the  Young  MOUSE,  ths  COCK,  and  the  CAT. 

A  YOUNG  Moufe  and   an  only  fan. 
With  crodfFDefs  sndcare, 
Was  by  his  mother  bred,  who  of 
His  life  flood  in  much  f  ear* 

And  kept  him  clofe  within  her  hole 

Till  grown,  who  then  doth  creep 
Into  the  H(  joining  room  where  through 

A  crevice  he  duth  peep* 

And  in  the  yard  he  there  efpies, 

A  Cat  dt  mure  «snd  grave. 
Wrh  whom  he  wifti  stftat  he  coulJ 

But  fome  acq^mnlance  have* 

Soon  after  he  ohferv^s  a  Cock, 

That  hy  the  door  doth  go, 
Who  vvith  his  wings  did  clap  his  fides^ 

And  cheerfully  did  crow. 

At  which  the  Moufe  was  almoft  fcar'dp 

Our  cf  his  wics,  and  run 
Peft-hafte  unto  hfs  mother,  who 

With  joy  receives  her  fon. 


FABLES 

emanng  what  the  reafon    was 
Of  his  fo  great  sffright  ; 
Oh  mother,  I  hwe  teen,  qu^th  he, 
A  very  dreadful  fight* 

A  Manfter  with  a  crbvfrn  on's  head, 
And  horn'J  heels  marched  by, 

Who  with  his  arms  clapping  his  fides, 
Sent  forth  a  hideous  cry. 

Whereat  I   wasfurpriz'J,  being  then 

Admiring  of  a  creature* 
Sober  and  mod? ft  in  her  look, 

And  of  a  handfome  feature. 

With  whom  1  was  refolv'd  to  make 

A   league  of  amity, 
The  mother  ft  idirg  by  his  talk, 

Her  fon's  fimplicity. 

She  tells  him  from  that  ftruiting  thing 

He  n«ed  no  danger  fear, 
But  for  his  lite,  he  never  fh^uld 

Thai  fcricus  one  curce  near. 

7  he    MORAL 

Bymod^ft  looks  we  fcarcc  can  jurfge, 

What  rtaliy   men  are, 
3«or  rhe  demure  arc  eft  more  falfe, 

Than  huffing  (parks  by  far* 


IN  PROSE  AND  VERSE.       145 
FABLE    XCVIIL 

The  WOLF  and  the  MARE- 

THE  Fox  and  Wolf  travelling  together 
they  met  with  a  Mare  which  had  a 
Foal  by  her  fide,  that  was  very  fat  and 
fmooth,  the  Wolf  was  almoft  farnifh'd  with 
hunger,  and  defired  his  coufm  Reynard  to 
go  and  afk  the  Mare  what  {he  would  take 
for  her  celt ;  truly  fays  the  Mare,  I  am  in* 
great  want  of  money,  and  would  willingly 
fell  him ;  and  what  do  you  value  him  at, , 
quoth  the  Fox  ?  Why,  brother,  fays  fhe,  the 
price  is  written  in  my  hinder  foot,  and  if 
you  pleafe  you  may  read  it ;  excufe  me, 
Brother,  cries  the  Fox,  for  I  cannot  regd, 
neither  do  1  defire  to  buy  your  foal  for  my- 
felf,  but  am  only  fent  as  a  meffenger  from  the 
Wolf,  who  has  a  great  mind  tp  him  j  well, 
faid  the  Mare,  let  him  come  himfelf,  and  no 
doubt  but  we  fhatl  bargain  :  f  he  Fox  went 
to  the  Wolf,  and  carried  this  anfwer,  afeiag 
him  if  he  could  read  writing;  read,  quorhi 
he,  do  you  doubt  it  ?  Let  me  tell  the  coufin, 
I  can  read  both  Latin,  French,  Dutch  and 
Englifh  ;  I  have  ftudhd  at  the  univerfity, 
and  difputed  with  feveral  do&ors.;  I  have 
feeu  many  famous  plays,  and  heard  di 

T 


FABLES 

trials  in  courts  of  judicature  ;  I  have 
my  degrees  in  the  law,  and  there  is  no 
writing  but  I  can  readily  urulerftand  ;  well 
come  on  then  quoth  the  ,4ox,  and  read  the 
v&lue  of  the  colt  in  the  Mare's  hinder  foot  * 
Away  he  goes  and  defires  to  re  id  the  price, 
fhe  lifts  up  her  foot,  which  had  a  ftrong 
iron  fhoe  newly  put  ou  with  many  fharp 
headed  nails  ;  and  while  the  Wolf  was  eat- 
neft  to  read  the  writing,  jthe  ftruck  him  fo 
full  in  the  forehead,  that  he  fell  over  and 
oven  and  lay  a  long  while  for  dead,  alt 
bloody  and  forely  wounded,  while  the 
Mare  went  trotting  away  with  her  coh,  and 
laughing  at  his  folly  anl  ftupidity,  At 
length  recovering,  Coufin  Reynard,  quoth 
he,  what  a  roguiih  trick  has  this  jide  ferved 
me  ?  for  thinking  the  nails  had  been  letters, 
while  I  was  reading  them,  (he  hit  me  fa 
ftrongly  on  the  face,  that  I  fcar  my  fkull  is 
broken.  Alas  Coufin,  quoth  the  tfox,  I 
find  the  proverb  true  in  you,  That  the  grea- 
teft  fcholars  are  not  alwas  the  wifeft  men. 


MORAL 

Thofe  that  pretend  to  the  moft  learning, 
and  are  much  conceited  of  their  own  know 
ledge,  do  many  times  fall  inta  great  misfor- 


IN  PROSE  A*D  VERSE.      147 

tunes,  and  are  made  a  fcornof  by  thofe  that 
bring  them  ijito  mifchief. 

FAB,LE   XCVIIL 
The  WOLF  and  the  MARE. 

npHE  Fox  and  Wolf  together  walked 

JL    Along  the  PVreft,  where 
1  hey  law  a    tat  briflc  wanton  colt, 
W  hich  fock'd  a  lufty  fnsi;e. 

The  Wolf  was  almoft  £brv*d,  arjd  fa 

He  Reynard  dcesirmeat 
To  sfk  the  price  of  him,  that  he 

Might  fcfnething  have  to,  eat* 

The  Fox  goes  to  the  Mare,  and  ^fifcs. 

If  (he  her  FoM  will  fell, 
And  if  fhe  willing  be  to  trade, 

The  lowcit  price  co  tell. 

The  Mare  cries,  I  will  fell  him  if 

I  can  a  chapman  find, 
And  for  the  price  'tis  plainly  writ, 

Upon  my  foot  behind. 

,>'?-^ 
lie  knowing  the  Mart's  (ubtility, 

Pretends  he  could  not  read,  " 

And  fo  defncus  to  be  excufe'd, 

Declaring  that  indeed. 

It  was  not  for  himfelf  that  he 
Did  ccmt  the  Culs  to  buy, 


•  i48  FABLES 

But  at  his  uncle  Wolf's  re queft 
Who  was  but juft  bard  by. 

Then  let  him  come  nimftlf,  quoth  (be, 

That  he  his  price  m^y  fee,  ^ 
And  if  he  my  prcpolals  like, 

We  quickly  thall  agree- 

The  Fox  this  anfwer  carried, 

Which  much  the    bead  amaz'd, 
That  they  fhould  thirk  him  luch  sn  Oaf, 

He  wonderfully  gazM» 

Read,  quoth  the  Wolf,  cuz,   doubt  not  that 

I  all  my  time  have  fpent 
In  learning,  and  in  all  known  tongues 

«I  am  mod  excellent* 

He  then  g«eg  to  the  Mare,  who  had 

Been  newly  /hod,  to  read 
PThe    nails    which   he  thought  words;  but  whilft 

Heboldethclofelm  head, 

The  treacherous  Mare  upon  the  ikull, 

Gave  him  fo  fmart  a  blow, 
As  the  poor  WoH  had  almoft  kiH'd, 

And  backward  did  him  throw. 

The  Fox  then  cries,  Uncle,  I  find 

The  ancient  prevefb  true 
Great  fchclars  are  not  always  wiff, 
^  As  now 'tis  fcen  by  you* 


.ax  PROSE  AND  VERSE.       -14* 
7 he   MORAL. 

Tbrfe  that  pretend  ro  undcrftand 

More  than  thty  trcly  k-ow, 
Are  oft  2-busM  -and  mtdcM  by  them 

That  fetfc.  tfceflr  overthrow. 

F  A  B  L  E    XCIX* 
The  W-OLiF,  the  FCX,  apd-ch*8  APES, 
WOLF  in  the  midft  of  winter  was 

ready  to  die  for  want,  but  happened  to 

meet  a  Fox,  whom  he  oblerved  to  be  fat, 
and  in  good  eafe^  he  afked  him  how  he 
came  to  Jive  fo  well  in  that  hard  feafon  ; — 
the  Fox  (hewed  him  where  the  #pe  and 
her  young 'ay  in  the  den,  faying  had  it  not 
been  fcr  that  charitabie  creature,  I  fhouid 
have  wanted  as  much  as  you  but  there  1 
have  oft  been  invited  and  found  kind  enter- 
tairment,  witrief-  the  fragments  of  my  fup- 
|>er  Jaft  night,  and  therewith  gave  the  Wolf 
feme  remains  of  his  meat,  which  -he-eat  with 
greedinefs,  defiring  the  F<  x  to  tell  him  how 
he  might  get  in  tavour  with  the  Ape,  I  hat 
-is  not  difficult,  quoth  he  c>n!y  by  draining 
ycurfelf  to  flattery  and  lying;  if  that  be  all 
quoth  the  VJolf,  I  can  foon  prafticeit,  and 
thereupon  runs  with  ail  fpced  to  the 


150  FABLES 

but  was  no  fooner  in  e're  he  cryM  cut,  Ah 
foh  !  what  a  naily  lliuk  is  here ;  and  then 
feeirg  the  old  i*pe  hugging  her  deformed 
young  ones ;  furely.  quoth  he,  in  ail  my  life 
I  never  faw  fuch  ugly  creatures  as  thefe  ;— 
whereat  the  Apes  being  inraged,  they  all 
fell  upon  him  together,  one  biting  him  by 
the  nofe,  another  by  the  neck,  and  the  relt 
in  other  places,  fo  that  he  was  forced  to  run 
out  with  ail  fpeed  to  fave  his  life  j  and  find 
ing  the  Foxj  related  his  misfortune  to  him  : 
You  are  well  enough  fervid,  qucth  he, 
finceyou  forget  my  council,  and  fpoke  truth 
when  you  fhculd  haTe  told  lies ;  Do  you 
think  I  had  loft  my  fmelling  and  eye- fight  ? 
and  yet  I  told  the  Ape  that  her  houfe  was 
perfumed  with  fweet  wood,  and  that  I  was 
mightily  plcafed  to  fee  fuch  a  beautiful  lady 
have  fuch  a  fine  off  fpring  of  ycung  ojies  to 
keep  up  the  family  ;  upon  which  the  beft  ia 
the  houfe  was  fet  before  me,  but  during  fyp- 
per  1  was  very  careful  not  to  fpeak  a  word 
of  truthj  and  hereby  I  was  treated  fo  gallant- 
]y,  or  eife  I  might  have  ftarved  as  you  are 
like  to  do  e'er  ycu  have  any  relief  from  her* 

*lhe  MORAL. 

Moft  men  are  too  much  pleafed  with  flat 
tery,  and  nothing  is  more  difobliging  than 


IN  PROSE  ANI>  VERSE.       151 

to  tell  them  thVir  faults,  or  impartially   to 
eenfure  their  a&ions. 

FABLE    XCIX. 
The  WOLF,  the  FOX,  and  the  APES. 

A  WOLF  in  winter  alma  ft  ftarv'd, 
vVho  nothing  had    to  eat, 
Neither  could  poflibly  contrive 
Provifion  how  to  get* 

R-pper/d  ro  meet  a  Fox  who  tookM 

Far,  and  plump,  and  well, 
That  the  Wolf  cries,  I  prithee  cux 

Butbs  fo  kind,   co  tell 

How  thondoft  thus  maintain  thyfelf, 

Aod  art  in  (uch  g  )od  plight  ; 
Ah,  quoth  th:  Fox,  the  Ape's  my  friend, 

Who  oft  doth  nra  invite. 

Into  his  den,  who  nobly  lives, 

And  where  I  need  not  fear, 
To  meet  with  Turkies,  Geefe,  and  Hens,' 

And  other  dainty  cheer* 

But  Oys  the  Wolf,  can  you  tell  how. 

1  i»*y  her  favour  get, 
And  thereby  be  partaker  of 

This  plenteous  (lore  of  meat  { 

Yes,  uncle,  ftys  the  Fox,  if  you 
Can  lye  and  flatter  well, 


FABLES 


But  have  a  care  what  e'er  you  dj, 
The  truth  you  nevtr  tell* 

That's  quickly  learnt,  quoth  he,  and  then 

Into  the  rlen  he  g'jes, 
And  cries,  Foh,  what  a  natty  ftink 

Is  ihi*  offends  my  nofe. 

Than  feeing  how  the  young  Apes  were 

Embraced  by  the?  old, 
Thry  an?  the  ugli*ft  things,  quath    he, 

That  e'er  I  did  behold* 

The  cubs  enrag'd  upon  him  fell, 

And  wounded  him  ail  o'er, 
So  that  to  fave  his  fife,  with  fpeed, 

He  run  our  of  the  door. 


meeting  with  the  Fox,  he  does- 
His  fad  misfortune  tell, 
Who  cry'd,  you  tor  your  folly  do 
Deferve  it  very  well- 

What  do  you  thi;  k  I  cnuU  n*  fee, 
And  fmcll  as  well  as  you  > 

Yet  I  the  old  one  Ltdy  call'd, 
And  praised  the  young  ocies,roo» 

7  be  MORAL 


men  love  fl  ttery,  and  (caret 
Can  ever  truly  love, 
bM"  thit  pl«inly  of  their 
Or  vices  tbcai  reprove* 


IN  PROSE  AND  VERSE.       153 
FABLE    C. 

Th«  APE  turned  CARPENTER. 

AN  unlucky  Ape  fitting  oppofite  to  a  Car 
penter's  yard,  to  >k  much  notice  how 
he  wrought  and  was  mightily  defrous  to 
imitate  him  difcourfmg  thus  with  himfelf  ; 
certainly  1  could  eafily  be  matter  of  this 
trade  without  feven  years  flavery  to  learn  it,* 
as  no  noubt  this  dull  fellow  hath  had  ;  for  i" 
am  of  opinion  that  it  is  only  for  want  of 
ps  adice,  or  elfe  we  \pes  could  foon  outfhine 
men  in  all  arts  and  fciences ;  and  I  remem 
ber  a  notable  king  in  .'ndia  having  taken  fe- 
veral  of  my  e^der  brethren,  called  baboons, 
prisoners,  he  was  relblved  to  put  them  to 
plough  and  fow,  and  to  make  foldiers  of 
them,  alledging  that  they  would  not  fpeak, 
becaufe  they  wf re  idle  and  urtwillhig  to 
work ;  well,  I  have  a  great  inclination  to 
try  my  (kill,  but  I  hope,  I  fhall  have  better 
fortune  than  a  nephew  of  mine,  who  Hung 
in  a  houfe  over  againfl  a  (  obler,  and  ottea 
obferving  how  he  cut  his  leather  to  p^ces 
to  foal  his  (hoes,  when  rhe  obler  was  ab- 
e  n  t,  be  leaps  into  his  1-talU  and  drives  to 
mi  tate  him,  who  returning  and  finding  his 


154  FABLES 

leather  all  mangled  and  Ipoiled,  refolved  to 
be  revenged  ;  and  one  day  when  he  faw  my 
coufm  Pug  look  earneftly  at  him,  he  took 
up  his , (harp  cutting  knife,  and  drew  it  over 
hi$  throat  divers  times,  anl  then  goinsj  a- 
way,  my  filly  kinfman  (kipped  inftantly  into 
hisihop,  and  taking  his  knife,  thinking  to 
do  the  fame,  he  cut  his  o*vn  throat  there* 
with  and  died,  hut  Til  take  more  care  ;  and 
To  getting  into  the  Caroeater's  y^rd  he  be* 
gan  to  handle  his  tools,  and  to  fpUt  wood 
therewith;  but  on  a  fudden  his  foot  was 
catch'd  in  a  deft-piece  of  board,  and  heldfo 
faft,  that  he  could  not  ftir,  but  crying  out, 
the  Carpenter  came,  and  perceiving  his  fjlly, 
with  many  feoffs  and  blows  diimift  hinr— 
This,  comes  of  it  quoth  the  Ape  to  be  over 
conceited  of'oae*s  own  wit,  but  now  I  find 
it  is  not  fo  eafy  to  be  a  workman  as  I  at  firft 
imagined  4 

the  MORAL 

Some  perfons  have  fo  great  an  opinion  of 
their  ownmgenuity,  as  to  imagine  they  can 
foon attain  to  the  mod  .curious  inventions  j 
but  upon  trial,  there  appears  more  difficulty 
and  danger  than  they  could  poffibly  forefee. 


IN  PROSE  **D  VERSE. 

FAB  L  E    CL 

The  DRONE  and  the  SPIDER. 

IN  IMITATION  OF  MR.  GAY. 

AS,  banifh'd  frotnth*  induftrious  hive, 
A  Drone,  deipairing  now  to  live, 
TravertM  with  mournful  hum  the  air, 
He  fell  into  a  Spider's  fnare. 
IB  hopes  to  break  the  fl:nder  chain, 
His  wings  he  fhook,  buc  fhotk  in  vain  : 
The  moie  he  flrcve,  entangled  more, 
He  gave  the  fruitless  labour  o'er. 

Ah,  inoft  unhappy  Drone,  he  cry'd  j 
The  ipeans  ot  life  w«re  firft  deny'd  5 
The  druel  honcy-fnaking  weal 
Drove  me  all  helplefs  from  the  cell  3 , 
And  now,  of  libeny  bereft, 
I'm  to'a  Spider'^ mercy  lei t! 
But  all  muft  die,  or  foon  or  late  ;•**—— 
With  patience  I  fubniit  to  fate. 

The  Spider  lurVd  unheeded  by, 
And  heard  the  fad  folilcquy  j 
Then  ruftiingon  his  Capiive,  faid 
Shall  fbjedfc cowards  patience  .plead  ? 
Had  that  firm  virtue  fteel'd  your  bread, 
With  freedom  .you  t  a  i  yet  been  bleit  • 
W  here  Widuftry  preferment  meets, 
Had  (har'd  the  toil,  and  (bar'd  ihe  iweets. 


*56  FABLES 

Obferve  this  web— What  happy   art. 
The  fabrick  (hews  in  every  parr  I 
View  Wfll  the  texture  and  ddigo; 
What  (ilk  was  ever  hah  fa  fine  I 
With  what  ex^dnefs  toodecre^fe 
The  circles  regularly  lefsj 
Thro'  each  the  parting  rays  extend, 
And  all  the  curious  frame  iufpend. 

This  common  centre  is  my  throne; 
The  mechaniim  all  my  own  : 
IVIyfelf  from  out  thefe  bowels  drew 
The  fubtlc  film,  and  fpun  the  clue. 
How  different  is  your  cafe  and  mine  } 
Defpis'd,  exploded,  yeu  repine ; 
While  I,  difdaining  to  depend, 
Findinmyfelf  a  "real  friend. 

He  fpoke,  the  Drone,  his  lawful  prize, 
Unfit  to  live,  unpity'd  dies. 

FABLE    CIL 
PLUTUS,  CUPID,  AND   THE  FARMER,  BY 

THE     LATE    ENSIGN,      JOHN    WILCOCKS, 

OF  THE  BRITISH  ARMY. 

THE  moon  was  bright,  the  fides  ferene, 
Aud  riot  a  cloud  was  to  be  feen, 
Hii/h'd  were  the  wirds,  and  not  a  breeze 
^J/as  beard  tu  whifper  thru;  che  trees; 


IN  PRCSE  AW>  VERSE.       157 

A  deep  and  folcmn  filence  rcign'd, 
The  bird  of  night  alone  complained, 
The  waves  in  melancholy  roar, 
Rolled  heaving  to  the  filent  ilhorc  : 
When  in  a  fblitary  wood. 
Near  which  a  lonely  couage  flood, 
The  peaceful  dwelling  of  a  fwain, 
Whofe  foul  was  undifturb'd  by  gain, 
The  god  of  riches,  and  of  love, 
Defcendirg  frorc  the  courts  of  Jove, 
Together  met,  beneath  an  oak, 
When  thus,  the  ggd  of  riches  (poke. 

Whence  is  it  boy,  that  with  thy  dart, 
Thru  canfterflunecacb  mortal  toeart, 
Knciie  in  Jove  a  foft  defire, 
And  let  the  god  of  war  on  fire  ! 
All  own  the  mighty  pow'r  of  love, 
On  earth  below,  in  beav'n  above, 
Whilft  m«  rt^ls  only  wor/h;p  me, 
Immortals  huiwDly  bow  to  ihee, 
E'en  birds  a:  d  beai«St  and  fiih  d 
Avd  men  alont  my  treaiurr  priz- 
Nr»r  wculd  I  Cupid  thus  complain, 
If  I  oVr  man  cuuld  wholiy  reign: 
But  i- ft  the  human  (cul  I  fiod, 
lo  wiidcm  more  thangc.ld  ir.clin'd  ; 
Not  very  oft  I  muftcuufcfi, 
But  yet  my  i  fluaite  Iccms  the  Ids. 

A!-?s!  with  me,  it  is  the  ftroe, 
The  «4(e  i  feldom  can  ei^uje  ; 


I58  FABLES 

Cupid  replies,— And  oft  my  dart, 
Is  ufelefs  thrown  againft  their  heart : 
In  yon  lone  cottage  lives  a  fwa  t), 
Whom  long  I've  fought  to  wound  in  vain  j 
He  b  ffles  my  mud  wily  arts, 
Is  proof  againfi  my  -keened  darts ; 
Unmoved  would  view  e^n  Sylvia's  charms, 
Nor  wifti  to  cUfp  feer  m  his  arms* 
Thisfwain  when  evening  (hades  pervade, 
And  murky  t  *  ilight  fills  the  glade, 
When  finifhM  in  his  rural  toil, 
O'er  bocks  confume*  the  m;d night  git. 
In  borks  alone  he  hcpcs  to  find,     ' 
Inftrii6tions  for  the  humankind; 
H«  does  my  a&moft  po^'r  defy, 
Do  you  the  force  ot  riches  try* 

Agreed  fays  Plutas,  Para  content, 
And  (trait way  to  the  cottage  we*H  : 
Whiltt  Cupid  to  the  town  departs 
On  beaux  and  belles  to  try  his  darts. 

The  fcrpherd  in  his  homely  cot  t, 
Juft  o'er  the  fire  had  -htiug  his  pot, 
And  feated  in  his  elbow  chair, 
Urknown  to  envy  or  to  care. 
But  with  fweet  peace  arid  quiet  bleft, 
Wis  fond'lmg  oi  his  fav'rite  goeft, 
Histaithful  d'gwho  us?d  to  keep, 
Or  find  when  left,  a  ftraggling 
And  purring  in  the  .cecneriat, 
Gravely  demure  his  «ged  cat. 


IN  PROSE  AND  VERSE.       159 

Whilft  thus  employed — as  off  bafore, 
The  God  arrives  and  taps  the  door  ; 
Loud  bark'J  the  dog,  *h*  fbepherd  cries, 
Whofe  there?     A  friend,  the  god  replies* 

Friendship  profeft,  an't  worth  a  pity 
He  f«ys,  but  let  his  godfliip  in* 

When,  thus  our  .god  the  fwain  addrefc'd, 
I  come  this  night  to  be  thy  gu  <t : 
You're  welcome  friend;  com*  pray  fit  down, 
Is  i here  aught  ftrarigt-  ?  What  news  in  town  ? 
Be  not  furpris'd,  bur  uVpherd  know, 
That  Pm  th?  g0<^j  who  wealth  b*ftow, 
Tfoo  be  sdvis'd,  my  cbunctl  take; 
Hafte  to  the  town, your  fortune  make  ! 
Ge-t  rich  my  friend,  yju*il  find  in  treafure, 
C     fii^s  rhetrucft  worldly  plealure  ; 
1*11  crown  your  wifh>s  w-th  luccels^ 
And  all  your  undcrtak'u  g>-blds» 

But  will  you  give  me  pecice  of  mind? 
Or  (hall  I  fweet contentment  find? 

Contentmrnt!  pohr!  Ms  pa ul try  ftuff, 
Gr  r  riches,  mar»,   and  (hat's  enough  1 
No— riches  breed  a  tboufaod  fears, 
A  thmiiand  woes,  a  theufandcaivs, 
WhiHl  in  this  lor><?!y  fare    retreat, 
Iliv*  fecure,  roy  jay's  coropleat, 
I  alk  no  mdre  from  htsv*,-  (ban 
My  bocks  afford  me  real  bills, 


160  FABLES 

In  them  I  read  and  knew  mankind, 
They  both  inftruft  and  oleafe  the  mind, 
I've  all  I  afk;    rhusfpi.ke  the  f  Aral n 
And  'twould  be  impious  to  complain, 
Wifdom  frnll  ever  b*  rny  guide, 
O'er  all  my   aftions  (hall  prelide, 
What  ever  w'fdom  Oys  i$  right, 
In  that  alone  I'll  tuke  dtlighu 

The  angry  god  aftonifli'd  henrd, 
JFrown'd  on  the  fwain  and  difappearM. 

FABLE    CHI. 

THE  FOP,  THE  COCK,  AND  THE  DIAMOND* 
BY  MR-  H.  GREVILLE. 

CEASE,  erring  mao,  nor  nature  blame, 
>ris  not  from  her  thy  misVy  came  ; 
H  i  wants  are  few,  and  thofe  we  fiad 
Suftain  the  blift  of  human  kind, 
ThryVe  all  fupply?d  with  eafe,  and  hence 
Firlt  flows  tht  nwner  j  ys  uf  feufe  : 
Thc-ir  aim  yet  ncbltr,  next  they  prove 
The  fcurce  of  bounty  and  of  love  : 
And  Idlt,  from  l«>ve  and  bounty  fljw 
The  noblell  j  .ys  thaf  miv.dscaii  k  ;ow: 

But  vice,  in  men  of  wanton  he^rr. 
Soon  torg'd  the  various  wants  of  art, 
And  thtie  indeed  are  creachV'-us  things  j 
From  thefe  invetVateevil  Jpnngs. 


PROSE  .,AND  VERSE.       161 


Thefe  (more  than  man  can  e'er 
Exempt  rroim  toil  and  mifery) 
Suppiy'd  the  JCT  is  tranfient,  vain, 
And  not  fupply'd  fincere  the  pain. 
Hence  Gare  his  iron  reig«  bsgan, 
The  creature  and  the  curfe  of  man  : 
This  truth  that  ev'ry  head  may  reach, 
A  tale  in  eafy  (trains  (hall  teach* 
fTisthis: 

A  mortal  not  content 
With  what  for  mankind  nature  meant, 
Tho*  fortune  to  his  juft  defire 
Had  freely  giv'a  "  meat,  clothes  and  fire,' 
Still  reftlefs,  wanted  iometjiing  new, 
And  frantic  fchemes  of  pka  fare  drew  ; 
To  ufe  for  ever  adding  fhow?     * 
In  fhortj  he  dwindled  to  a  beau. 
Straight  on  his  coat  he  clap'd  gold  lace, 
And  ntxt  with  waffaesfpoiPd  his  face  ; 
Bat  moft  of  all  he  priz'c!  his  ring, 
The  dearefyprettitft,  fparkling  thing  !— 
3  Fwas  this  that  gave  hmi  half  hii    sir, 
'Tw^s  this  he  play?d  againft  the  fair; 
Conicious  of  worth,  when  this  was  on, 
He  mav'd  as  grand  as  Spanifli  Don— 
But  who  can  tell  the  cares  chat  dole 
With  all  thefe  foppYies  on  h  Wouli 
To  drefs  at  fir  it  the  other  names 
For  hiding  decently  our  fhame, 
He  made  to  (ignify  an  art 
Which  a£t  a  quite  contrary  part/ 


FABLES 

Which  turned  him  on  himfelf  a  foe; 
And  fee  his  follies  ont  to  fhow; 
This  coft  him  fo  much  time  and  paify' 
'Twashappinefsand  virtue's  bane. 
Befides  it  grieved  his  fcul  to  find 
Some  brutes  to  all  his  merit  blind, 
Tc  flight  him  when  he'd  (pent  a  daf 
To  drefs  and  paiat  him  for  the  play  I 
*Twas  pungent  grief  fucceeding  care, 
And  moretnan  Cato's  felf  cou'd  bear  ; 
StUl  worfe  you'll  think  it,  whew  I  tell  ye, 
?That  for  hlsback  hepinch'd  his  belly. 
But  ah  I  the  word  is  ftlll  behind  ; 
And  fortune  proved  yet  more  unkind  t 
Us  loft  the  ring  we  nam'd  before 
And  what  could  fate  to  curfe  him  more  f 
It's  borrowed  rays  withdrawn  that  ted 
Thofe  weeds  his  joys  by  folly  bred, 
As  real  woe  his  heart  depreft, 
As  ever  heav'd  a  patriot's  breaft 
He  wept,  he  rav'd,  and  o'er  and  o'er 
His  vitals  ftab'd,  and  ftamp'd  and  fworc* 
The  dear  delighting  toy  away, 
Mo  more  he  fparkled  at  the  play, 
Bluih'd  to  be  feen  the  gem  without, 
Whes *  one  he  threw  its  rays  abouu 
If  or  could  his  purfe  afford  to  buy 
What  might  as  well  its  place  fupply. 
Ar  lengtb  through  difappointed  pride 
The  wrerch  grew  (lupid,  moap'd  and  dy'i 
Mean  while  the  guiltlefs  Diamond  lay 
Safe  from  the  beams  of  rival  day, 


PROSE  AVD  VERSE. 

Beneath  a  dunghill'*  peaceful  lead 
That  fac'd  a  farmer'*  Weft  abode, 
And  long  had  there  been  free  from  prate, 
Nolle,  noufenfe,  effence,  poxf  and  ftate  :  ? 
'Till  once  a  cock  by  hunger  taught, 
R;«k'd  out  the  gem  unprized  unfought  ; 
For  he  ne'er  tura'dhis  thought*  to  find 
The  polifli'd  woes  of  burna?-.  kitid. 
Wfcat  faithful  nature  crav'd  to  gain 
Was  all  he  fought,  nor  fbiaght  in  vain* 
No  fancy'd  want,  no  dUlant  prize 
Had  taught  th>  eternal  figh  to  rife : 
Fit  bounds  his  wifties  all  controul, 
And  fix  the  quiet  of  his  foul. 
In  vain  the  gay  temptation  prov'd, 
His  virtue  firm  remained   unmo^'d  ; 
And  tho*  he  thought  a  g^m  might  deck 
As  wt4l  h*s  tail  as  lady's  neck, 
He  ipurri'd  the  fplerided  bait  afide 
With  juft  (iiidain  and  comely  pride, 
And  imiliog  half  he  tt^us  expreft 
The  thougbt  iarcafttc  of  his  breaft  ; 
Whence  aod  what  art  thoa,  tawdry  thing  25 
Fromthee  what  happinefs  can  fpring? 
Let  fenfelcfs  man  with  antitk  pride 
Bid  Pageant  rile,  and  ufe  fubfide, 
We  birds  with  nobler  fapience  bleft, 
Their  peace-deftroying  arts  deteft  ; 
Two  things  alone  can  give  me  pain, 
Dime  Pmlct's  coyneis,  want  of  grain. 
Their  wants  fo  monftrous  grow,  their  joy 
A  tboufand  little  turns  deftroy  ; 


FABLES 

A  thoufand  things  muft  all  unite, 
E'er  tn^y  can  tafte  one  beur's  delight. 
Fools  !  %ll  to  Reaf  or/s  fcale  reduce* 
A:d  wfigh  the  value  to  the  ufe. 
Thr  11  one  full  grain  of  ge^rous  wheat 
(Ye  powers  bow  ^vholelume,  plump  and  fweet  I)- 
Will  dearer  prove  by  far  than  all 
The  (hining  nothings  round  the  ball. 

Who  read  this  foble  with  difcereing  mind 
Fcrhips  tfeis  plain  advice  implyd  will  find  s 
T  <ke  fre«  ly  all  th^t  nature's  wants  require, 
But  che^k  thr  firfi  excsfs  of  frail  dtfire. 
For  "Vi  d  (hfc    fk?,  and  raiment,  we  agree  ; 
But  nevt  r  a{k:a  bfocads  or  fricafee— 
HowcVr,  whatcuftom  calls  gentctl  aod  neat; 
That  (=f  ihe  purie  Affords  it)  wear  and  cat, 
Yet  all  above  thy  h-iend's  inferior  lot, 
Sail  lesrn  to  priz':  a*  i  hc?  you  prized  it  nou 
All  ?ibove  thrne  with  care  devoutly  (hun^ 
Or  be  ambilicui;  reftlefs,  a  ad— undone* 

f    1    N    I    5. 


